Ballistic Performance of Bulletproof Vests Reinforced with Hybrid Composites of Eichhornia Fiber and Kevlar Dupont Armortex

Fajar Paundra (ID Scopus: 57218093112 ID Sinta: 6736110 ID Google Scholar: r_qlllcAAAAJ ID ORCID: 0000-0001-6803-2103 Institut Teknologi Sumatra)
Ahmad Tito (Institut Teknologi Sumatra)
Abdul Muhyi (Institut Teknologi Sumatra)
Devia Gahana Cindi Alfian (Institut Teknologi Sumatra)
Farid Nanda Syanur (Institut Teknologi Sumatra)
Fajar Perdana Nurulloh (Institut Teknologi Sumatra)
Ariyo Nurachman Satiya Permata (Institut Teknologi Sumatra)
Fattah Maulana (Republic of Indonesian Defense University)
Akhmad Nurdin (Afiliasi : Universitas Tidar ID SCOPUS : 57216637515 ID Sinta : 6813831 ID G scholar : OgoQxhcAAAAJ ID Orchid : 0000-0002-6263-8419)
Sri Hastuti (Afiliasi : Program Studi Sarjana Teknik Mesin , Universitas Tidar ID SCOPUS : 57208755692 ID Sinta : 6147797 ID G scholar : hnIYcGcAAAAJ ID Orchid : 0000-0002-9570-9519)

VANOS Journal of Mechanical Engineering Education
Vol 11, No 1 (2026)

The fiber stacking sequence in hybrid composites of Eichhornia and Kevlar Dupont Armortex significantly influences ballistic resistance. This study aimed to investigate the effect of different stacking sequences of Eichhornia/Kevlar hybrid composites on ballistic performance. The materials employed were woven Eichhornia fibers, Kevlar Dupont Armortex, and polyester resin. The composites were fabricated using the vacuum bagging method at 14 psi for 24 h, followed by curing at 80 °C for 60 min. Two stacking configurations were examined: Armortex Eichhornia Armortex (AEA) and Eichhornia Armortex Eichhornia (EAE). Ballistic testing was conducted in accordance with NIJ 0101-07, referring to ballistic threat level NIJ 0123.00 (NIJ HG1). The results revealed that the fabricated hybrid composites were unable to resist MU1-TJ 9 × 19 mm bullets fired from a Tanfoglio Stock III 919 pistol with a kinetic energy of 885 J, leaving impact marks with varying diameters depending on the stacking configuration. Further observations indicated that the hybrid composites experienced fiber displacement leading to crack formation, fibrillation of constituent fibers, and interlayer delamination.