Enhancing Stab Testing Standards: Investigating the Influence of Angle of Incidence on Stabbing Performances of different Protective Textiles

This study explores how different angles of incidence impact the stabbing performance of protective textiles, addressing gaps in current standards like NIJ Standard–0115.00 and HOSBD, which consider only 0° and 45°. Orthogonal 3D woven and 2D woven fabrics were tested at 0°, 22.5°, and 45° using Depth of Trauma (DOT), Depth of Penetration (DOP), and Length of Penetration (LOP) metrics. Results show DOT increases with angle, while DOP is lowest at 22.5° and rises at 45°. The 3D fabrics exhibited higher DOP but lower DOT compared to 2D fabrics, attributed to larger pore sizes. LOP increased with angle, indicating reduced resistance. These findings highlight the need for updated testing protocols to consider varied angles, offering valuable insights for improving the design and evaluation of stab-resistant textiles, and ultimately enhancing safety for first responders and vulnerable individuals.