Advances in ballistic and impact-resistant composite fabrics: A review

Authors

  • Mestawet Girma Bekele Faculty of Chemical and Food Engineering, Bahir Dar Institute of Technology, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar P.O. Box 79, Ethiopia
  • Daniel Berhane Maru Faculty of Chemical and Food Engineering, Bahir Dar Institute of Technology, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar P.O. Box 79, Ethiopia
  • Tibebu Merde Zelelew School of Mechanical and Chemical Engineering, Woldia Institute of Technology, Woldia University, Woldia P.O. Box 400, Ethiopia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1886-7732
Article ID: 521
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DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18686/cest521

Keywords:

composite material, ballistic performance, impact resistance, body armor, ballistic mechanism

Abstract

This review critically examines the ballistic performance and impact resistance of composite fabrics, with a particular focus on their role in next-generation protective systems. While previous work has focused on general ballistic materials, relatively few studies have provided a systematic and integrated synthesis that links material selection, structural design parameters, and recent nanotechnology improvements. This work addresses this gap by offering a comprehensive classification of composite fabric configurations, considering key factors such as fiber types, fabric architecture, thickness, stacking sequence, and layer orientation. The influence of these parameters on deformation behavior, failure mechanisms, and energy absorption efficiency is discussed in detail. It also evaluates standardized testing methods, current reference benchmarks, and limitations of current testing protocols. Recent advances, including high-strength fibers, hybrid architectures, and multifunctional material interactions, are analyzed to highlight emerging trends and unresolved challenges. By organizingrecent progress within a unified analytical framework, this review offers researchers, engineers, and practitioners actionable insights for the design and optimization of advanced ballistic impact materials. Furthermore, it outlines key research gaps and future directions, particularly in the areas of multifunctional integration, lightweight design, and improved predictive modeling for high-strain-rate impact conditions.

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Published

2026-03-12

How to Cite

Girma Bekele, M., Berhane Maru, D., & Merde Zelelew, T. (2026). Advances in ballistic and impact-resistant composite fabrics: A review. Clean Energy Science and Technology, 4(2). https://doi.org/10.18686/cest521

Issue

Vol. 4 No. 2 (2026): In progress

Section

Review

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Copyright (c) 2026 Mestawet Girma Bekele, Daniel Berhane Maru, Tibebu Merde Zelelew

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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