POLYETHYLENE POLYETHYLENE COMPOSITE-MATERIALS FOR BALLISTIC PROTECTION/

The ability to manufacture polyethylene fiber reinforced polyethylene (PE/PE) composites (classified as ''single polymer composites'') witho ut causing fiber relaxation and loss of mechanical properties is curre ntly utilized in a number of engineering and biomedical applications. This paper describes the manufacture and characterization of PE/LDPE a nd PE/HDPE composites for ballistic protection. Preliminary ballistic impact testing and fracture analysis show that both, and in particular the PE/HDPE, system exhibit impressive ballistic resistance.