Establishment of material selection and design consideration for bulletproof vest

Abstract

A bulletproof vest is a protective clothing that is worn on the body of the wearer. Basically a bulletproof vest is used to absorb or disperse the impact and reduce or prevent the penetration of projectiles and shrapnel to the body. These harms maybe fired from firearms or other type of projectile firing mechanism. Also known as bullet resistant vest or ballistic vest, bulletproof vest is part of body armor as the latter is more of a whole package of protective clothing that may include combat helmet, ballistic shoulder and side protection armor components. Design of ballistic armour systems must take into account several factors such as the type of ballistic threat, the ability to manufacture the armour system and the properties of the armour components. This report explores into the field of bulletproof vest through two means, the material selection and design consideration of making a bulletproof vest. Extensive research is carried out to find out the current materials used in market and a database is hoped to be recorded. Due to the high cost to produce a bulletproof vest, this study also investigates new composites as future vest material candidate. A shear thickening fluid, jute fibres and coconuts fibres are mixed into UHMWPE and para-aramid hoping to develop novel ballistic resistant material of higher strength and cheaper cost. Various tests will be carried out to test the competency of these composites.