Enhancing structural stability of bio-inspired alumina coatings on CFRP for improved stab resistance using lacquer and adhesive

Abstract Recently, there have been various threats using sharp tools such as knives, and anti-stab clothing and shields have been used to counter these threats. This study created a stab-resistant panel using a carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) composite with lightweight and high-strength properties. Specifically, the panel was coated with a high-hardness layer using lacquer and plate-shaped alumina (Al 2 O 3 ) particles for a bioinspired structure of abalone shells. The hardness allows for fewer layers of carbon fabric to reduce the weight of the panel. The coating layer was successfully bonded to the CFRP panels with epoxy to maintain a stable structure during the penetration of sharp tools. The stab-proof performance was evaluated using the National Institute of Justice standards’ single-edged knife blade (P1). The P1 blade penetrated the panel 13.46 mm, but the high-hardness layer significantly reduced the penetration depth by 70.2% to 4.01 mm.