Ballistic strength of polyethylene composites based on bidirectional and unidirectional fibers under the high-speed ballistic impact

The purpose is to investigate the behavior of composites made of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene woven fabrics and unidirectional tapes under the high-speed ballistic impact. Ballistic composites based on bidirectional and unidirectional fibers are manufactured and subjected to ballistics tests. The unidirectional composites have shown superior performance as compared to bidirectional ones due to their lower extent of the reflective impact wave i.e. the ballistic impact wave is transmitted to higher composite area. Due to the crossover points in bidirectional composites, the greater extent of the ballistic wave is reflected, rendering the ballistic impact to smaller composite area.