Finite element modeling effects of inter-yarn friction on the single-layer high-performance fabrics subject to ballistic impact

This paper aims to numerically figure out the effects of inter-yarn friction in the fabrics impacted by a cylindrical-nose projectile on the ballistic performance including transverse deformation of fabrics, overall energy absorption and the forms of energy absorption. Finite element (FE) models were established for two fabrics based on the yarn properties of Twaron® and Dyneema®, respectively. The numerical results show that increasing inter-yarn friction decreases the transverse deflection abilities of the two fabrics and subsequently the response modes of them will transfer from a localized response to a globalized one. With the increase of inter-yarn friction, the energy absorption rate monotonously increases as well while the failure time firstly decreases and then increases but further decreases again. Increasing inter-yarn friction also affect the forms of energy absorption. Near zero friction, strain energy (SE) is the dominant mechanism of a fabric. With the increase of inter-yarn friction, kinetic energy (KE) becomes the dominant one. A maximum inter-yarn friction exists for frictional dissipation energy (FDE) absorption.