The comparative analysis of energy dissipation behaviour of woven and UD para-aramid fabrics

This research examines how impact energy spreads across para-aramid fabrics, comparing woven and unidirectional types, using 2-D Thin Plate Spline analysis. The experiment involved dropping a weighted hemisphere onto fabric samples and measuring their deformation across different layer counts. To assess how yarn orientation affects energy dispersion, panels with 0 degrees/90 degrees and 0 degrees/90 degrees/+/- 45 degrees configurations were tested. By analysing the fabric's shape changes under impact, the study revealed patterns of energy propagation. Calculations of bending energy and expansion factors provided insights into this behaviour. The findings indicate that unidirectional fabrics outperform woven structures in distributing impact energy across their surface. Moreover, incorporating +/- 45 degrees fibre reinforcements in both fabric types enhances energy dispersion and mitigates impact effects.