Effect of interyarn friction on the puncture resistance properties of flexible composites: experimental research and quantitative evaluation

The growing demand for advanced protective materials has driven extensive research into flexible composites with enhanced puncture resistance, particularly for personal protective equipment. Herein, the role of interyarn friction in improving the puncture resistance of Kevlar-based flexible composites was quantitatively analyzed for the first time. Initially, the mobility of filaments and yarns within the fabric was modulated by adjusting the weight gain percentage of hydrogel matrices, and the effect of improved interyarn friction on puncture and stab resistance was investigated experimentally. Subsequently, the universality of this effect was validated by employing other flexible matrices and assessing the correlation between interyarn friction and the composite’s antistab and antipuncture properties. Finally, partial least squares regression was employed to quantify the contributions of the five influencing factors to the composite’s antipuncture performance. The analysis revealed that tensile properties of the matrix predominantly influence puncture force, with a weighting value of 71.06%, whereas interyarn friction is the primary factor governing energy consumption during puncture, with a weighting value of 71.65%. This study provides a quantitative framework for understanding the effect of interyarn friction on flexible composites, offering valuable insights for the design of advanced protective equipment.