Influences of clamping methods and weaving architectures on the ballistic performance of 3D orthogonal woven fabrics

The great interlaminar strength and designability of 3D woven fabrics have application prospects in personal protective armor. This research reports the influence of clamping methods and weaving architectures on the ballistic mechanism of 3D orthogonal through-the-thickness interlock woven fabric (3D OTT). The investigation of the fabric's energy absorption, back deformation, and damage morphology was conducted using a mesoscopic yarn-level full-size model developed by the finite element method (FEM). The numerical simulation results under 4-sides held were verified with ballistic experiments, and a good match was achieved. The clamping method had a substantial effect on the fabric's performance. Under Weft-sides held, its ballistic limiting velocity was approximated by 4-sides held, although it experienced the greatest out-of-plane displacement. The worst energy absorption was recorded for the Warp-sides held, while the Corner held demonstrated an entirely different failure mechanism. Further investigation on the influence of warp yarn patterns on the protective capability of 3D OTT under different clamping methods indicated that the structure had limited influence on the ballistic performance of multi-layer fabrics and that the fabric with higher flexibility was more sensitive to boundary conditions.