Ballistic performance of UHMWPE composite helmets: Experimental and numerical
Mechanics of Advanced Materials and Structures, cilt.33, sa.1, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 33 Sayı: 1
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1080/15376494.2026.2699988
- Dergi Adı: Mechanics of Advanced Materials and Structures
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Compendex, INSPEC, DIALNET, Academic Search Ultimate (EBSCO), Engineering Source (EBSCO)
- Anahtar Kelimeler: ballistic, composite materials, FEM, ımpact, UHMWPE helmet
- Erciyes Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Modern helmets are a type of wearable armor that protects the head region of military personnel in conventional warfare situations and asymmetric military conflicts. Today’s modern, most advanced ballistic helmets are manufactured from UHMWPE ballistic composites, offering low weight and high ballistic performance. In this study, a lightweight, high-performance UHMWPE ballistic helmet compliant with military standards was manufactured. Ballistic tests were conducted in accordance with NIJ-0106.01 and the highest protection level IIIA, to evaluate the ballistic performance of the manufactured UHMWPE helmet. 9 mm FMJ bullets were fired perpendicular to the surface at five different regions of the helmet, and the helmet’s deformation and composite damage mechanisms and BFD were examined. A realistic, multi-layered numerical model was developed for the experimentally tested helmet. The ballistic response from experimental studies was compared with that from the numerical model, and good agreement was observed. The damage mechanisms and back-face deformation responses of UHMWPE helmets subjected to ballistic impact were analyzed. Consistency has been demonstrated between the ballistic test results of a new-generation UHMWPE helmet and those from an advanced numerical model that accurately captures all helmet layers.