Abstract This review presents an overview of the design and functionality of protective headgear, including its components and their ability to protect against low- and high-velocity impacts. It discusses the transmission of load from the helmet to the head, as well as the biomechanics involved. This insight provides a comprehensive understanding of the effect that head trauma can have on the tolerance limits and thresholds of protective headgear. Furthermore, the fundamental elements of the helmet and its primary function are discussed. The review focuses on the use of various textile preforms in the design of helmet shells and liners to enhance protection. It explores the use of innovative materials such as shear thickening fluid, ZnO nanorods, polymeric coatings, and graphene to improve impact performance. Additionally, various energy-absorbing materials, including lattice structures, bioinspired structures, shape-changing materials, and honeycomb-based structures, are discussed to improve energy absorption. The purpose of this review is to offer a comprehensive overview of the topic and suggest new ideas for designing protective helmets to enhance their protection performance.Graphical abstract
展开▼
