Nanocellulose - A Novel Material for Military Sector

Abstract

Nanocellulose offers great potential for military applications, particularly in developing self-repairing and self-diagnosing materials. With a strength up to eight times that of stainless steel and ten times that of kevlar, it stands out as a high-performance, bio-based alternative. This study focuses on its use in defence, though further refinement is needed, especially in testing against real chemical threats like tabun. Economic scalability and industrial production remain key challenges. While natural fibers are abundant and cost-effective, current natural fiber-based armors do not meet standards such as the NIJ Tier III requirement, which mandates resistance to six ballistic impacts these have only been tested for one. Significant research is required to enhance the ballistic performance of multi-layered natural fiber composites to make them viable. Existing reviews largely overlook the mechanical durability of such materials in armour applications, focusing instead on characterization and processing, leaving a crucial gap in understanding their practical defence potential.