Skip to main content

NOTICE: Due to a lapse in annual appropriations, most of this website is not being updated. Learn more.

Form submissions will still be accepted but will not receive responses at this time. Sections of this site for programs using non-appropriated funds (such as NVLAP) or those that are excepted from the shutdown (such as CHIPS and NVD) will continue to be updated.

U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Aging Effects on the Dynamic Tensile Response of Zylon Fibers

Published

Author(s)

Richard L. Rhorer, Joannie W. Chin, Amanda L. Forster, Weinong W. Chen, Bo Song, Xu Nie

Abstract

This paper reports on dynamic tests of fibers used in soft body armor. The type of fiber tested is poly(p-phenylene-2,6- benzobisoxaxole) (PBO), or brand name Zylon. Aged fibers were tested using a modified split Hopkinson pressure bar that loads the single fibers with a high strain-rate to failure. The report describes the testing method and presents data from a series of tests on new and aged fibers. Individual fiber diameters were measured using a scanning electron microscope which determined a large variation in the size and quality of individual fibers. The conclusion of the preliminary data is that there is no obvious effect of the aging process within the variation of the reported measurements.
Proceedings Title
Proceedings of Society for Experimental Mechanics, Society of Experimental Mechanics Annual Meeting
Report Number
823037
Conference Dates
June 4-6, 2007
Conference Location
Springfield, MA

Keywords

Fiber Testing, Soft body armor, Dynamic properties, Homeland security

Citation

Rhorer, R. , Chin, J. , Forster, A. , Chen, W. , Song, B. and Nie, X. (2007), Aging Effects on the Dynamic Tensile Response of Zylon Fibers, Proceedings of Society for Experimental Mechanics, Society of Experimental Mechanics Annual Meeting, Springfield, MA, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=823037 (Accessed October 14, 2025)

Issues

If you have any questions about this publication or are having problems accessing it, please contact [email protected].

Created June 4, 2007, Updated February 19, 2017
Was this page helpful?