The Effect of Resin Concentration and Laminating Pressures on Kevlar (Tradename) Fabric Bonded with a Modified Phenolic Resin

Abstract : Laminated Kevlar(R) panels, fabricated by high and low-pressure laminating techniques were evaluated to determine resistance to ballistic penetration, hardness, flexural modulus, and energy absorption. Compared with the high pressure laminates, low pressure panels made from the same material samples had greater resistance to ballistic penetration; in addition, they were softer, more flexible, and absorbed more flexural energy. The difference in performance characteristics is attributed to the adverse effects of resin impregnation down to the fiber level for the high-pressure panels as opposed to mere surface bonding of the fabric layers in the low-pressure laminations.