Bullet Proof
E. Paul Mayhan
old wolf <cl...@iafrica.com> wrote:
> I am currently a Physics and Chemistry Major at college with a limited
> understanding of material science. I am looking for information on
> meterials used for bullet proofing.
> What property of the material enables it to absorb the impact of a bullet?
> i.e.
> Strength, Young's Modulus etc.
The main property is the ability to dissipate the energy of the bullet.
In materials like bullet proof glass, this calls for a material that is
stiff but not brittle. It has to be somewhat flexible. Laminated lexan is
usually used.
For bullet proof vests, a fabric that will not tear is needed. The aramid
(sp?) fibers of Kevlar are the most common thing in use. The fibers are
useful because they are very hard to break. They also have an extremely
high strength to weight ratio, so that a vest can be made strong enough
and still not weigh 100 pounds. I found it interesting to hear that the
only fibers that had a higher strength to weight ratio were the strands of
a spider web.
--
Paul Mayhan- Any resemblance to any normal person, living or dead, is
purely coincidental.
old wolf
I am currently a Physics and Chemistry Major at college with a limited
understanding of material science. I am looking for information on
meterials used for bullet proofing.
What property of the material enables it to absorb the impact of a bullet?
i.e.
Strength, Young's Modulus etc.
Which are lightest
Which have highest strength to weight ratio
Is Manganese used like in tank armour?
Any info or resources would be appreciated.
Russell
Material Guy
Here is a start.
> Title: Police body armor standards and testing.
> Published: Washington, DC : Congress of the U.S., Office of
> Technology Assessment : For sale by the U.S. G.P.O., Supt. of
> Docs., [1992]
> Description: 2 v. : ill. ; 26 cm.
> LC Call No.: HV7936.E7 P63 1992
> Dewey No.: 363.2/028 20
> ISBN: 0160379873 (v.1) : $3.25
> 016038074X (v.2) : $6.50
> Notes: Shipping list no.: 92-0557-P (v. 1).
> "August 1992"--Vol. 1, t.p. verso.
> Includes bibliographical references (v. 1, p.
> 41-47).
> v. 1. Report-- v. 2. Appendixes.
> "OTA-ISC-534"--Vol. 1, p. [4] of cover.
> S/N 052-003-01292-8 (v.1 : GPO)
> S/N 052-003-01304-5 (v.2 :GPO)
> Subjects: Police -- Equipment and supplies -- Standards --
> United States.
> Police -- Protection -- United States.
> Protective clothing -- Testing.
> Armor -- United States -- Testing.
> Other authors: United States. Congress. Office of Technology
> Assessment.
> Control No.: 92241346
>
> Tagged display
A little digging at the library of congress should give you even more.
http://www.loc.gov
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