Humans have been using body armor since ancient times. They used animal hides and plant material to protect their bodies from injuries during hunting. With the discovery of metals, the medieval ages saw soldiers wearing body armor made of metal plates. Fast forward to the 1500s, the development of high-speed projectile weapons like guns started the evolution of body armor that we today refer to as bulletproof equipment.
In this piece, we will share the mechanism bulletproof vests work on, the materials used to make that happen, and briefly introduce different types of bullet-resistant armor so you can better understand how this protective equipment works under different situations.
Materials Used For Bulletproof Armor
Bulletproof vests are made from a mix of durable, impact-resistant, and stress-resistant materials. These materials range from kevlar fibers to interwoven aramid in ballistic plating of the protective equipment. Several layers of kevlar fibers are interwoven together, making a stack of sheets. Multiple sheets are then joined together and finally shaped into a bulletproof vest.
Depending on the level of protection you are seeking, ballistic plating can also be added or is already woven inside the bulletproof equipment. Several other types of fibers, metals, and related materials are also used. Their usage depends on the type of situation the armor will be used in.
How do Bulletproof Vests work?
When a projectile gets in contact with the bullet-resistant gear, the interwoven web of kevlar fiber sheets absorbs the impact. This absorbed energy is then transmitted throughout the sheet to minimize the impact. The bullet does not penetrate these kevlar sheets and gets deformed upon impact. However, it is crucial to understand that different bulletproof equipment provides different levels of protection.
Therefore, figuring out your requirements and comparing them with the level of protection provided by the equipment can help in making the right decision. The information shared on bulletproofsupplystore.com can assist in understanding the types of protective equipment available. Despite the ability of the vest to stop the bullet from penetrating, the impact will still result in blunt trauma and can even cause organ damage.
Normally, soft body armor can protect handguns with low to medium firepower. Hard body armor is rigid and protects against higher caliber projectiles like rifle fire. However, hard body armor is not a feasible choice for most law enforcement agencies due to its bulky nature. The official standard for the level of protection called the NIJ level is already shared by local regulatory authorities for bulletproof equipment manufacturers to comply with.
Soft Armor and Hard Armor
Soft armor is mostly made of only durable interwoven fibers. This protective equipment can also be used with hard body armor to provide added protection. On the other hand, hard body armor provides better protection than soft armor. Soft armors protect NIJ level 3A whereas hard armor protects from up to NIJ level 4. The hard armor uses several types of ballistic platings with varying levels of protection. Ceramic plates, steel plates, and fiber-based plates are mostly used in hard armor.
In addition to ballistic plates, some types of bulletproof equipment also insert trauma plates that can reduce the blunt force created when the projectile hits. While virtually every bullet-resistant piece of equipment provides the promised level of protection, the bullet impact can also result in the indentation of the ballistic plates. These trauma plates increase the longevity of the bullet-resistant equipment by further minimizing the effect on the bulletproof vest.
Protection Against Explosives
Heavy armor is worn by bomb disposal teams that have to work in extremely dangerous situations. A full-body suit covers the head to the toes and is reinforced with several materials to provide the required protection. However, mobility and vision are significantly affected when the suit is used.
Stab-ballistic Armor
A combination of stabbing and ballistic resistant equipment is also available protecting NIJ level 2. These vests are mostly preferred by law enforcement officers as it provides the required protection against smaller handguns and stabbings. However, the level of protection stated for a bulletproof vest is carried out under control conditions with the projectile being fired from a specific distance. Therefore, the results can vary when the bulletproof equipment is placed in real-life situations.
As material science progresses, numerous promising materials are being experimented with to improve the level of protection and the longevity of bulletproof equipment. It’s possible to see novel materials being used to make bullet-resistant equipment that provides better protection than its counterparts. We hope the information we shared increases your knowledge of bulletproof vests and the way they work.
