This paper examines the behind armour blunt trauma effects (BABT) of low-velocity projectile impact on textile-based armour systems. BABT effects in this context are rarely cited in the literature and poorly understood. With a large body of existing evidence on the BABT effects of high-velocity impact on ceramic faced armour systems, it was felt necessary to compare and contrast the injury mechanisms relating to both types of impact, through the investigation of pressure measurement and armour deformation. The results indicated that with respect to low velocity impact, that pressure was not as significant in terms of injury, as the extent of, and morphology of the armour back-face deformation. This work also identified a different type of armour back-face deformation called pencilling, where the indentation resulting from projectile impact is narrow and tapered as opposed to the shallow hemispherical deformations commonly observed in ballistic armour test procedures. This phenomenon was observed in all the materials used as backing materials, when textile armours were subject to low-velocity projectile impact. Pencilling was not observed after high-velocity impact on ceramic faced armours. As pencilling was only observed with flexible body armours, it is suggested that this phenomenon is directly proportional to the reduction in the areal densities and flexibility of armours over time, and thus needs further investigation.
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