Enchanching Body Armor: Evaluating UHMWPE with Contoured Surfaces for Improved Anti-Ballistic Performance using Finite Element Methods

¹ Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering Universitas Sebelas Maret, Surakarta 57126, Indonesia
² Department of Mechanical Engineering, Islamic University of Madinah, Medina, 42351, Saudi Arabia
³ PT. Bengawan Teknologi Terpadu, Karanganyar, Indonesia

^* Corresponding author: author@email.org

Abstract

Anti-ballistic is an indispensable personal protective equipment such as body armour for military and police personnel. This tool has received a lot of attention in recent decades due to increasing threats and insurgencies. Several studies have reviewed the development of anti-ballistic technology. However, there still needs to be discussion related to the development of anti-ballistics using UHMWPE (Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene) and the contours of the surface of the UHMWPE. In addition, anti-ballistic studies are rarely carried out compared to other fields. This is because discussions or research related to weapons are still sensitive discussions. This study aims to determine whether the quality of body armour made using UHMWPE which one of the surfaces is given a specific profile, is better when compared to UHMWPE, which has no contours on all surfaces. UHMWPE material that is given a certain profile is one of the ideas chosen because it has high strength and aesthetic value, so it is expected to withstand bullet impact, comfortable and attractive when used. The antiballistic properties of UHMWPE given the diamond contour were obtained from numerical simulations using the finite element model (explicit dynamics) of ANSYS Workbench software. The two UHMWPE variants used in the multiplelayered configuration consist of UD UHMWPE sheets. Ballistic testing used a 7,62 mm calibre lead bullet with a velocity of 720 m/s. The material model of the bullet and UHMWPE plate used the Johnson-Cook plasticity model.