Zahal

When body armor was first created, vests and other protective gear were typically heavy and limited in motion. These earl vests were typically made up of metal plates that were placed into pockets on the bullet proof vest.

As time went on, Kevlar and Spectra Shield would be introduced to the market. These special fibers would create a resistant yarn to make sheets of cloth that would be used to for form-fitting and comfortable bulletproof vests.

Scientists and manufacturers alike are constantly looking for the next big item – stronger and lighter materials. In this pursuit, new materials have been created for use in bulletproof vests.

Dyneema SB61

Several years ago, a company from the Netherlands called DSM created a new polymer that is much stronger than Kevlar. According to DSM, Dyneema SB61 is 40% stronger than Kevlar and 15 times stronger than steel. This new type of material is already being used by law enforcement personnel today for body armour purposes.

Carbon Nanotubes

Researchers have also been working with carbon nanotubes to create strong fibers that can be used to make protective gear. When these fibers are created, they are said to be 4 times stronger than spider-silk, 20 times stronger than steel wire and 17 times stronger than Kevlar. These fibers can also be used to create stronger materials for military personnel.

Colloidal Shear-Thickening Fluids

With standard bulletproof vests being created with dry fibers, there are some scientists who believe that injecting those fibers with a colloidal shear-thickening fluid because it will make the body armor even stronger.

These fluid-fibers are stronger because when the fabric undergoes stress, the fluid turns rigid in order to protect the body. In addition, since the material is stronger than traditional bulletproof vest materials, there are fewer layers that need to be used in order to allow for less restrictive movements.

As more and more products are created, it is important for you to consider the danger your current position posses. Each bulletproof vest that you look at will have a different rating that alerts you to the type of protection the body armor will afford you.

Performing research on the current types of bullet proof vests that are currently available will allow you the opportunity to compare the materials and protective capabilities each has to offer. Bulletproof vests are quickly becoming lighter and stronger.

The first product placed on the market which was used to create bulletproof vests was Kevlar. Afterwards, Spectra fibers were created and became the competition for a Kevlar vest. Although there have been other products that have been created, such as Zylon, these two products remain the major players today.

Kevlar

Kevlar was created in 1965 by Stephanie Kwolek at DuPont. The process by which the thread is made is called polymerization. Put simply, the liquid polymers are passed through a metal plate that has many holes on it and all the single strands come together to form the Kevlar yarn. This yarn is then used to weave the cloth to make the armor. To increase the strength of the cloth for the body armour, many layers are added together to create the desired level of protection.

Spectra

Unlike Kevlar, Spectra fibers (created by the Allied Signal Company) are not woven together. Instead, the fibers are laid parallel to each other and a special resin is used to hold them in place. Then the process is repeated again to create another piece of cloth. The second piece of cloth is turned ninety degrees and is laid on top of the first cloth and then the resin is applied to bond these two sheets together. The end product is a non-woven cloth.

Zylon

This resistant material is a synthetic polymer that is commonly used in tennis racquets and other applications. It was created by a Japanese manufacturer called Toyobo and was used for body armor products starting in 1998. However, the product began to have problems in 2005. Second Chance Body Armor made bulletproof vests that used the Zylon product, but later learned that the material degraded at a rapid rate.

Toyobo would later settle a large class-action lawsuit in the United States and the settlement included covering legal expenses for attorneys and creating a fund to help replace officers’ bulletproof vests. The company also agreed to provide police departments with discounts for five years so that they could replace their bulletproof vests affordably.

While it is clear that not all bulletproof products are the same, the tried and true materials will continue to be used to create quality body armor. There have been newer versions of Kevlar and Spectra that are providing lighter and stronger protection to law enforcement individuals. You can be sure that more unique products are going to be developed in the future that will provide the same protection or better.

When a company has creates a new material that is focused on protecting an individual from the threat of bullets, the manufacturer must first undergo testing. The testing is necessary because a bullet rating must be associated with it in order to advise the wearer of the level of protection it affords.

In order to begin selling a particular bullet proof vest, the National Institute of Justice has a procedure that must be followed to properly rate body armor.

The Testing Process

To register a new body armor product and to sell it to the government and other personnel, the vest must meet the following test:

Two samples are taken of the vest, one from the front panel and one from the back panel and 2 types of ammunition must be used.

6 shots are fired at each panel, with two of the shots impacting at a 30 degree angle.
This sequence is carried out twice, for a total of 48 shots.
The deformation of the material that is behind the bulletproof material must be no more than 44mm or 1.73inches.
These testing limits must also be achieved when the armor is wet.

Testing Example

If you are looking to purchase a bulletproof vest that has a rating of Type IIIA (the highest concealable rating for a vest), then that vest had to meet the following test:

The first sample fired 9mm full metal jacket round nose bullets that weighed 124 grams that impacted the vest with a velocity of 1,430 feet per second.

The second sample fired .44Magnum Semi-jacketed hollow point bullets that weighed 240 grams that impacted the vest with a velocity of 1,430 feet per second.

The vest will them be checked to make sure the deformation of the vest and material is within the test limit.

Once the vest has passed the testing phase, the National Institute of Justice will issue a certification attesting to the validity of the test, as well as registering the vest for sale.

It is important to note that you should not purchase a vest that does not have a size label on the vest. This label will indicate the size, manufacturer, date of issue, protection rating, lot number, serial number, and care instructions. If you have in your possession a vest that does not have this tag, then you should not use it and if possible, return it to the company that you purchased it from.

The bulletproof vest test is in place to ensure that you are aware of what level of protection is being afforded to you. It also provides uniformity across manufacturers to create the same high-quality body armor that is demanded of them.

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.

Protecting yourself with a bulletproof vest is critical if you are employed in law enforcement, private security or the military. Body armor is designed to stop the bullet from penetrating your body, which will allow you to continue to do your job and to provide for yourself and your family. However, there are a few important facts to consider when purchasing a bulletproof vest.

The Different Materials Used to Make Body Armor

There are several types of materials that are used to create the bulletproof vests of today. Kevlar is a popular product that has been providing protection for many years. This material is created by spinning Kevlar thread together to make yarn that is then weaved into cloth. This cloth is then layered to create a Kevlar vest.

Spectra Shield is created by lining Spectra fibers into parallel rows. Once a layer is complete, a second layer is created which is then turned to lay perpendicular to the first row. These layers are then affixed with a special resin.

Concealable vs. Tactical

Depending on the line of work you are in, you may be required to purchase a bullet proof vest that is worn under your clothes. This type of vest will provide protection from small to medium sized bullets. There is also tactical personal body armor that is worn over your clothes, which will protect you from small to medium bullets, as well rifle bullets.

Size Does Matter

If you are purchasing body armor, then you need to make sure that it fits you properly. Oversized bulletproof vests may restrict your movements, as well as leave certain sections of your torso vulnerable. There are a lot of bulletproof vest manufacturers that make standard sized vests. If you order one, you should make sure that you feel comfortable wearing it.

Make Sure Your Vest has the Proper Rating

Each bulletproof vest will have a rating that is assigned to it (Type I, IIA, II, IIIA, III and IV). These ratings indicate which type of bullets the vest will stop. If you are in a position where you may be fired upon by rifles, then you want to select a vest that has a Type III or IV rating. It is extremely important that you do not purchase a vest that does not clearly indicate what the rating is.

These are a few of the facts that you should consider when purchasing a bullet proof vest. By taking the time to determine the size, rating, material, and style of vest you require, you will be in a better position to select the right one.

Adequate protection of your body and extremities while engaged in dangerous lines of work is an important point to consider. To assist you with the right protection, body armour companies have created different types of bulletproof vests.

These vests are designed to stop a bullet from injuring the body, as well as provide protection from other projectiles that may potentially cause injury. When selecting a bulletproof vest, it is important to determine if you prefer to have a concealable or tactical bulletproof vest.

Concealable Bulletproof Vest

If you are working for a client that wants you to have the appearance of an ordinary individual, then a concealable bulletproof vest is the perfect choice. Manufacturers of these types of vests have created form-fitting, comfortable personal body armor that will blend well with your street clothes. These vests can be worn under dress shirts or jackets to allow you the anonymity that is required.

An important point to make regarding concealable body armor is that these vests have limited protection as a result of their concealable nature. The vests can have a rating of up to II or IIIA, which is the cause of this limited protection. A bullet proof vest that is a Type II can protect the wearer from various bullets that include .22, .380, 9mm, .40, and .357 Magnum. These types of vests are not able to protect the wearer from bullets that are fired from a rifle.

Although concealable bulletproof vests will afford the an individual with protection from small arms fire while also providing a concealed appearance in the general public, you may want to look into tactical grade vests for protection from larger caliber bullets.

Tactical Bulletproof Vest

A tactical bullet proof vest will provide the ultimate in protection. These vests can have a Type III or IV rating which provides protection from small arms fire (the caliber of bullets listed above), as well as protection from bullets fired from rifles. This type of body armour is much larger and can only be worn over clothing. The manufacturer of these vests creates loops and pockets that provide the wearer with storage to hold ammunition and other important items.

These body armor vests are traditionally worn by individuals that are constantly in tactical situations, such as SWAT and military personnel. However, an individual’s mobility is somewhat reduced because of the size of the body armor.

Concealable and tactical body armor will provide you with the protection you require. By determining your current needs, you will in a better position to make an informed decision about the level of protection you require.

What is a bulletproof vest used for? This protective clothing is a form of body armor that is meant to shield the wearer from the negative effects of combat. It is most commonly used for military and law enforcement applications. A vest is able to defend against a bullet and sharp object punctures.

What are they made of? The two commonly used materials are called Kevlar and Spectra. Kevlar fabric is made by first creating Kevlar yarn that is then weaved into the cloth. Spectra is made by laying the fibers parallel to one another and then bonding them together with resin.

Are all bulletproof vests the same? No. Bulletproof vests have different levels of protection based on the manufacturing process that was used. The various ratings that bulletproof vests come in are I, II-A, II, III-A, III, IV. It is also important to note that the higher the rating, the heavier the vest.

Does a Personal Body Armor, such as bulletproof vests, have to be tested? Yes. Once a design for a bulletproof vest is created, the manufacturer has to make sure that the vest meets the safety guidelines put in place by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ). The vest is tested by firing several shots in predetermined positions to test to integrity of the design. Once the vest has been approved, the design is registered and certified for replication.

How can I tell if a specific bulletproof vest is authentic? To make sure that the vest you are purchasing is authentic, you need to pay special attention to the label. This label will alert you to the:

• Size
• Model
• Manufacturer
• The rating
• Lot number
• Issue date
• Serial number

If you are purchasing a vest that is rated between I and III-A, then it has to have a disclaimer that it will not protect the wearer against rifle fire or sharp instrument intrusion. If the label does not contain this warning, you should immediately return to the store.

Can bulletproof vests be concealable? Yes. There are several manufacturers of bulletproof vests that have created body armor that are concealable. These include jackets and vests that can be worn by important personnel without anyone noticing that they are protected. Individuals that are wearing them can feel confident that small arms fire may not cause them bodily harm.