Laser-Induced Surface Modification of Graphene-Modified KM2-600 Para-Aramid Fabrics: Morphological and Topographical...

Ballistic para-aramid fabrics are widely used in personal protection and defense applications due to their high strength-to-weight ratio, thermal stability, and durability. This study investigates the influence of laser-based surface modification on graphene-modified Kevlar^® KM2-600 (600 dtex) fabrics, with a particular focus on surface morphology and topographical characteristics of para-aramid fabrics used in ballistic applications. The deposition of graphene onto para-aramid fibers introduces new opportunities for surface engineering, while laser processing enables localized and controlled modification of the fiber surface without compromising the integrity of the bulk material. In this work, graphene-modified Kevlar^® KM2-600 fabrics were subjected to controlled laser processing under various parameter settings, and the resulting surface modifications were systematically analyzed. Three-dimensional laser microscopy was employed to characterize surface morphology and roughness, providing detailed insight into laser-induced topographical changes. The results demonstrate that optimized laser processing enables controlled surface restructuring while avoiding severe thermal damage, particularly when appropriate mechanical stabilization and focal conditions are maintained. Under identical laser processing conditions (Matrix II, q = 3.65 × 10⁴ W/cm²), the mean arithmetic roughness increased from 4.57 ± 1.04 µm for the unmodified fabric to 5.54 ± 1.05 µm for the graphene-modified fabric, while the mean root mean square roughness increased from 5.76 ± 1.41 µm to 6.95 ± 1.39 µm. These findings contribute to an improved understanding of laser-graphene-aramid interactions and provide a foundation for future studies addressing the potential functional implications of surface modification in lightweight protective textiles.