UK Armed Forces wear items of clothing that incorporate fragment protective fabrics (Tier 1 Pelvic Protection) and other items of clothing are under development (e.g. Improved Under Body Armor Combat Shirt). The long-term robustness of such garments is of interest. In this paper four candidate fabrics (knitted silk, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene felt, para-aramid felt and a woven para-aramid) were investigated. The effect of laundering on 0.24 g chisel-nosed fragment simulating projectile ballistic protective performance was measured on packs containing the candidate fabrics that were representative of clothing layers. Changes in the physical properties (mass, thickness, dimensional change) of candidate fabrics were measured. The ballistic protective performance of two candidate fabrics was unaffected by laundering; for the other two fabrics improved performance was measured. The masses of the specimen packs was unaffected by laundering; however, the thickness of all fabrics increased, relative to dimensional change.

The primary function of military body armour is to provide protection from fragmenting munitions and improvised explosive devices (IEDs). This is usually achieved by the use of multiple layers of woven para-aramid fabric. The resulting body armour is heavy and contributes to the burden on the dismounted soldier. Reduction in body armour mass and hence thermophysiological loading without reducing the level of protection is therefore of interest worldwide. Many manufacturers quilt the fabric component of body armour which reportedly improves fragment protective performance, however, the topic does not appear to have been explored thoroughly. In this work a preliminary study on the effect of quilting on the fragment protective performance of a commercially available woven para-aramid fabric is reported. The fragment protective performance of specimens varying in construction (1, 2, 3 and 5 layers) with three quilting regimes (no quilting, diamond quilting, square quilting) is presented and analysed.

This work suggested that an air-gap behind police body armour might result in an increased likelihood of injury. It is recommended that body armour is worn with no air-gap underneath.