Ballistic helmets materials

Key words ballistic helmets, materials, manufacturing, modelling. 

A typical helmet is expected to be between 5 and 10 mm thick, dependent on both material type and applicatioa The shell thickness is normally determined experimentally by the penetration test. The shell canbe made of either an injection-moulded thermoplastic or a pressure-moulded resin system, reinforced with ballistic resistance fabrics/fibres (Mills, 1996). Energy is absorbed when the helmet is impacted, with the shell bending and deformation of the underlying foam. The amount of the impact energy absorbed by the foam depends on ... 

Level IDA testing to NIJ Standard 0108.01 for ballistic material is only for testing flat armom- panels, which differ significantly from helmet curvature contours. NIJ Standard 0108.01 for ballistic material specifically excludes helmets... 

The main characteristics of the materials, design and production of the combat helmet have been explored in detail. Finite element analysis and simulation tools have been revealed to be very useftil in ballistic-related research, as long as the researcher understands the complexity of the material model and high-velocity impact penetrators, and computational model experiments have been shown to be... 

Forster-Knight, E., Lowth, R., Nngee, R., Carr, D., Iremonger, M. The ballistic performance of UK military helmets exposed to hot/wet and cold/wet conditions . Tenth International Conference on Composite Materials. V. Stractnres, Whistler, British Columbia, Canada, pp. 751-7, 14-18 August 1995. 

Walsh, S. M., Scott, B. R., Spagnuolo, D. M The Development of a Hybrid Thermoplastic Ballistic Material With Application to Helmets , Technical Report ADA441165. 

Ballistic protection— Techniques for the protection of personnel (and material) against projectiles of all kinds, such as protective blankets for vehicles or protective gear (jackets, helmets, trousers, etc). Barricade— An intervening barrier (natural or artificial) of such type, size, and construction as to limit the effects of low-angle high-velocity fragments. 

Ballistic protection can be obtained with fabric and with composite material. Both in ballistic vests and in helmets, a very high protection at a relatively low weight can be achieved. 

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