Developments in the area of body armor have led manufacturers to improve the durability of existing materials allowing bulletproof vests to be lighter and stronger. Traditional bulletproof vests that are made out of Kevlar are created by layering Kevlar cloth on top of one another until a desired level of protection is reached. As the number of layers increase, the vest becomes more rigid and also heavier.
Fluid-Impregnated Fibers
In an effort to make bulletproof vests lighter, there are some individuals that are experimenting with a special sheer-thickening liquid. This liquid is the impregnated into the Kevlar cloth so that fewer layers are needed. When the fibers are hit by a knife or object, the fluids freeze into a solid state deflecting the object and once the energy has subsided, the material will once return to its fluid state.
While this type of product is beginning to be introduced into bulletproof vests, you can see the advantages of having a lighter, stronger bulletproof vest. These types of fibers are perfect for prison system personnel as they are more likely to get stabbed while on the job.
Bulletproof Vests
If you are looking to purchase a bulletproof vest, then you should consider several key points when making your selection.
Protection rating a good rule of thumb to consider when purchasing body armor is that you should you purchase a vest that will stop the type of bullet that is fired from your gun. This will provide you with a gauge of the rating that you should choose.
Size there are many manufacturers of Kevlar vests that only have a couple of sizes. You may find that it could potentially not fit well and you should therefore check to see that it has the comfortable dimensions that you need.
Label make sure that the vest you are purchasing has a clearly legible label on the inside. This label is vital because it will tell you exactly the level of protection the vest is going to afford you. In addition, it will tell you the date of issue, a serial number, and a lot number among other things. All bullet proof vests are required to have this tag.
Bulletproof vests provide protection against a variety of bullets. To ensure that you have the right vest, make sure that it fits you properly, that you understand its rating, and that it has the proper label.