Kevlar has demonstrated the ability to protect well against ballistic threats but has low resistance to
puncture. Correctional Kevlar has shown good resistance to puncture. However, the fabric is
expensive, difficult to manufacture because of its tight weave construction, and has limited
protection against ballistic threats. In an effort to produce materials that are less bulky, more
flexible, and resistant to puncture, thermoplastic-Kevlar (TP-Kevlar) composites have been
examined. Kevlar fabric was impregnated with thermoplastic film using a hot press to produce the
composites. Static and dynamic puncture resistant properties of the TP-Kevlar composites were
investigated using a National Institute of Justice (NIJ Standard 0115.00) Stab Tower. The TP-films
used in this study were polyethylene, Surlyn, and co extruded-Surlyn, which is a co extrusion of
Surlyn and polyethylene. Response of the polyethylene (PE)-Kevlar composites, Surlyn-Kevlar
composites, and co extruded (COEX)-Kevlar composites to spike and knife threats under static and
dynamic conditions were compared with that of neat Kevlar. The infusion of thermoplastic films
into the Kevlar fabric was shown to dramatically increase puncture resistance during quasi-static
and dynamic testing with spikes. The TP-film type also made a difference when examining the
resistance on a comparative basis of the TP-Kevlar targets. The TP-Kevlar composite targets
showed more resistance to quasi-static spike testing than quasi-static knife testing. Weapon
comparisons revealed that the TP-Kevlar composite targets had more resistance to dynamic knife
testing than dynamic spike testing.
Neutron response function characterization of 4He scintillation detectors