On 7 March 2026, a technical article entitled “Long-term natural ageing effects on the structural, mechanical, and ballistic performance of UHMWPE-based soft ballistic inserts” was published in the journal Materials & Design and is available on ScienceDirect.
The study, carried out by MORATEX and AITEX, investigates the long-term ageing behaviour of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fibres used in soft ballistic inserts manufactured in 2003 and 2005. Using techniques such as FT-IR, DSC and SEM, the research evaluates chemical and microstructural changes in the polymer as well as their impact on the mechanical properties and ballistic resistance of the materials.
Results show progressive oxidative degradation in the polymer matrix and microstructural modifications of the fibres. However, mechanical and ballistic tests confirmed that UHMWPE-based ballistic inserts can maintain effective protective performance even after more than ten years of typical use or storage conditions.
The article provides valuable insights into the long-term durability of UHMWPE fibrous ballistic materials under environmental exposure.
The full article is available at the following link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matdes.2026.115813
