Date of Award

2021

Degree Type

Capstone Project

Abstract

This investigative report analyzes the ability to design, create, test, and re-design a vest that is both puncture and slash resistant according to the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) protective level standards. Specifically, the vest will be provided to law enforcement, but could have the potential to be used for military application or civilian protection. Experimentally, the vest should protect the wearer from an E2 Protection Level 3 Overstrike of 65 Joules from any type of knife-like object with a penetration depth no greater than 20mm. The vest was designed with the goal of versatility, the protection over any vital areas, as well as functionality in order to ensure the safety of the user. In addition, the team took breathability and extended wear time into consideration.To successfully create a vest that can meet these requirements, 3D-printed armor modules made out of Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) were filled with a Shear Thickening Fluid (STF). This fluid, when kinetically disturbed, hardened on impact and assisted in distributing the force applied from a sharp object strike. Following a 24 hour experiment, it was determined that incorporating a sponge inside the module proved excellent in taking on the material properties of the STF and cancelling the effects of gravity. In addition, each module was layered with high density polyethylene, epoxied carbon fiber sheets, and rubber boot soles to help resist penetration. The attack was simulated through the usage of an ice pick attached to a 1.8995 kg mass that was fired through a pressurized air cannon. After conducting various impact testing, it was determined that the vest prototype can protect against an E2 Protection Level 2 Overstrike of 50 Joules.

Comments

Sponsor: Professor Bahram Nassersharif

Graduate Assistant: Jorge Araujo

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