Research on the Application of Shear-stiffening Gel Modified Foam Materials in Ballistic Helmets

doi:10.12382/bgxb.2025.0225

Abstract

Abstract:

Ballistic helmets are critical protective equipment designed to mitigate craniocerebral injuries caused by ballistic impacts and blast shocks.The cushioning system within the helmet plays a vital role in attenuating the damage effects from such impacts.To enhance the overall protective performance of headgear,a novel cushioning material—EVA/SSG composite foam—was developed by incorporating Shear Stiffening Gel (SSG) into ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) foam.Using a ballistic impact testing platform and a synthetic head model,comparative ballistic tests were conducted on helmets equipped with conventional EVA pads and those with the EVA/SSG pads.The temporal variations in impact force on the headform surface and the acceleration at the centroid of the head model during impact were investigated.Additionally,finite element simulations of the ballistic impact were performed.Both experimental and numerical results demonstrate that,under ballistic impact conditions,the helmet with EVA/SSG foam liners reduces the peak pressure on the headform surface and the peak acceleration at the centroid by more than 20%,thereby significantly lowering the probability of head injury.

Key words: ballistic helmet, foam, shear stiffening gel, ballistic impact, finite element simulation

CLC Number:

TJ04

YANG Haowei, WANG Junlong, MIAO Zhenwei, KANG Yue, WEI Yanpeng. Research on the Application of Shear-stiffening Gel Modified Foam Materials in Ballistic Helmets[J]. Acta Armamentarii, 2025, 46(11): 250225-.

Figures/Tables 24

References 26

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样品	硬度(SLX-C)	密度/(g·cm^-3)	弹性模量/MPa
EVA泡沫	40	0.065	4.1
EVA/SSG泡沫	48	0.068	5.2

样品	硬度(SLX-C)	密度/(g·cm^-3)	弹性模量/MPa
EVA泡沫	40	0.065	4.1
EVA/SSG泡沫	48	0.068	5.2

失效模式	失效判据
纤维拉伸断裂	σ₁₁>0, ${e}_{f}^{2}$= ${\left(\frac{{\sigma }_{11}}{{X}_{t}}\right)}^{2}$+ ${\left(\frac{{\sigma }_{12}}{{S}_{C}}\right)}^{2}$≥1
基体碎裂	σ₂₂>0, ${e}_{m}^{2}$= ${\left(\frac{{\sigma }_{22}}{{Y}_{t}}\right)}^{2}$+ ${\left(\frac{{\sigma }_{12}}{{S}_{C}}\right)}^{2}$≥1
基体压缩失效	σ₂₂<0, ${e}_{d}^{2}$= ${\left(\frac{{\sigma }_{22}}{2{S}_{C}}\right)}^{2}$ + $\left[{\left(\frac{{Y}_{C}}{2{S}_{C}}\right)}^{2}-1\right]\frac{{\sigma }_{22}}{{Y}_{C}}$+ ${\left(\frac{{\sigma }_{12}}{{S}_{C}}\right)}^{2}$≥1
纤维压缩失效	σ₁₁<0, ${e}_{c}^{2}$= ${\left(\frac{{\sigma }_{11}}{{X}_{c}}\right)}^{2}$≥1

失效模式	失效判据
纤维拉伸断裂	σ₁₁>0, ${e}_{f}^{2}$= ${\left(\frac{{\sigma }_{11}}{{X}_{t}}\right)}^{2}$+ ${\left(\frac{{\sigma }_{12}}{{S}_{C}}\right)}^{2}$≥1
基体碎裂	σ₂₂>0, ${e}_{m}^{2}$= ${\left(\frac{{\sigma }_{22}}{{Y}_{t}}\right)}^{2}$+ ${\left(\frac{{\sigma }_{12}}{{S}_{C}}\right)}^{2}$≥1
基体压缩失效	σ₂₂<0, ${e}_{d}^{2}$= ${\left(\frac{{\sigma }_{22}}{2{S}_{C}}\right)}^{2}$ + $\left[{\left(\frac{{Y}_{C}}{2{S}_{C}}\right)}^{2}-1\right]\frac{{\sigma }_{22}}{{Y}_{C}}$+ ${\left(\frac{{\sigma }_{12}}{{S}_{C}}\right)}^{2}$≥1
纤维压缩失效	σ₁₁<0, ${e}_{c}^{2}$= ${\left(\frac{{\sigma }_{11}}{{X}_{c}}\right)}^{2}$≥1

材料参数	数值
密度ρ/(kg·cm^-3)	1230
弹性模量E₁₁,E₂₂/GPa	18.5
弹性模量E₃₃/GPa	6
泊松比ν₁₂	0.25
泊松比ν₃₁,ν₂₃	0.33
剪切模量G₁₂/GPa	0.77
剪切模量G₂₃,G₁₃/GPa	2.5
平面方向的拉伸强度/GPa	0.555
平面方向的压缩强度/GPa	1.2
剪切强度/MPa	77