Abstract:

In order to improve the contribution of STF and fabric to the stab resistance of STF-impregnated aramid soft armour materials, the plasma treatment of various fabric structures was conducted. This study explored the interactive effects of plasma treatment, fabric structure and particle size on the spike and knife resistance properties of plasma-treated STF/Aramid fabrics. Fumed silica and polyethylene glycol (PEG) based STFs were prepared with various particle sizes (15 nm, 75 nm) at a solid content of 15%. Various weave structures of fabrics (plain, 2/2 twill, 5/3 satin, 2/2 basket) were impregnated with STF and then plasma-treatment conducted. The rheological behaviour of STF in various silica sizes as well as the spike and knife quasi-static stab resistances of the resultant plasma-treated STF/aramid fabrics in various weave structures were both explored. The results show that the various weave structures of STF/Aramid fabrics treated with plasma exhibited a significant enhancement of quasi-static spike resistance. Furthermor, 2/2 twill, 5/3 satin and basket weaving plasma-treated STF/Aramid with a coarser silica particle in STF showed a higher improvement in quasi-static spike resistance. Interactive effect results show that the plasma treatment of fabric and the silica size in STF affected spike resistance more significantly, while knife resistance was only significantly affected by the fabric structure.