Lightweight Ballistic Composites: Military and Law-Enforcement Applications (Woodhead Publishing in Materials) [Hardcover]

Ashok Bhatnagar (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 18, 2006 | ISBN-10: 0849391199 | ISBN-13: 978-0849391194

Ballistic composites are lightweight and durable under a variety of environmental conditions, such as water and chemicals, and they exhibit high performance levels, including high strength, impact and ballistic resistance, and damage tolerance. These advantages make ballistic composites the perfect choice for use on lightweight vehicles, watercraft, aircraft armor, and anywhere else where lightweight bullet protection is required. They also have exceptional insulating properties in high temperature environments.

After an introductory chapter, Lightweight Ballistic Composites is split into two main sections. The first half explores requirements and testing. A chapter on bullets and bullet deformation provides important background information, which is expanded in chapters on the material response to ballistic impact and modeling of the impact. Standards and specifications are discussed as are testing methods. The second half of the book focuses on the types of material available, with an emphasis on applications.


This major new book is the first of its kind to give a comprehensive review of the current use of lightweight ballistic composites in both military and law-enforcement applications. It will be invaluable for all those working in the safety and protective materials industry and all concerned in health and safety in a variety of industries. It will also be an important work for health and safety workers and researchers in the military and police service.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 429 pages
• Publisher: CRC Press (August 18, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0849391199
• ISBN-13: 978-0849391194
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,423,031 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Only Book Available on the Subject, September 24, 2006

By 

John Matlock "Gunny" (Winnemucca, NV) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Lightweight Ballistic Composites: Military and Law-Enforcement Applications (Woodhead Publishing in Materials) (Hardcover)

The advent of fire arms spelt the end of the armored knight of old. Until very recently the soldier on the battlefield had no protection from being shot. The problem is that the only materials that would offer suitable protection was steel, and steel is so heavy that it is impractical to protect more than a small part of the body. Usually only the head was protected using helmets that offered some protection from the fragments of shrapnel of grenades and exploding artillery.

Beginning with the war in Viet Nam, the Army began fielding 'bullet proof vests' made of woven materials that extended protection to the torso of the soldier. These vests were capable of withstanding handgun fire and most shrapnel.

Since that time other new materials have been invented and they, along with their applications are the subject of this book. It is written by a selection of experts in the field. About half the authors are from the US and include writers from the military, industry, and research groups. The remailing authors are from literally around the world.

Most of the book is on the new materials themselves. But the latter parts are on specific applications including material on the new vehicles and equipment that has been introduced or which is still in the planning stages.

This is the first book to provide a comprehensive review of the materials used in modern armored systems. Not only does it cover the woven fabrics, but it also included material on things like ceramic faced molded armor.

This is the state of the art in armor as it exhists today.