The Evolution of Kevlar Body Armors

Kevlar Body Armor started upon the discovery of Kevlar by Stephanie Kwoek, a research scientist in the 1960’s. Her group is making experiments in the DuPont research laboratory on the search for a lightweight and strong material for tires. Throughout the experiment, she was able to develop a fiber from liquid crystalline solution that she is working on that time. This fiber, initially a byproduct of a solution under study, was then found out to have high tensile strength. It means that this fiber does not easily break and can stretch to nay form. This discovery started a new field of polymer chemistry which has been the basis of many high tensile products today such as ballistic protection and body armors.

In line with this breakthrough, DuPont started making Kevlar fabric in large quantities to be used on various materials in 1971. Further studies, experiments and testing were made by DuPont to establish the performance of the Kevlar as a material for body armors. And in 1975, the Kevlar Body Armor held it first field trial conducted by police officers which was sponsored by the National Institute of Justice. After being certified by the NIJ to give protection and safety from various threats, the US Army later on adopted the Kevlar Body Armors for use on their military and police force. Kevlar was made for the flak jackets and helmets for the US Army.

In the 1980, DuPont started making Kevlar vests to be used again by the US Army which gives extreme protection from fragmentation, bullets, heat and flame. The use of the Kevlar vests and other Kevlar body armors has greatly reduced the casualties in the Army. Moreover, fatal and sever injuries sustained by the soldiers also decreased. These breakthroughs coupled by the increasing demand for Kevlar Body Armors have led to the continuous and constant improvement of the Kevlar Body Armors. Today, Kevlar Body Armors are now known to be lightweight, strong, comfortable and flexible. They make a superior product that is widely accepted and used by various organizations and police force. 

What makes Kevlar Body Armors a Superior Product?

Kevlar Body Armor has been the choice of many military and police force for their body armors for the following reasons.

1. Kevlar Body Armor has high tensile strength

Tensile strength refers to the capability of being shaped or bent. Kevlar has a high tensile strength that can withstand tension and bending. It means that all Kevlar body armors have a high degree of elasticity or it has the ability to be stretched without breaking. This is very important when you are hit by a bullet. The tensile strength of Kevlar body armors will not allow bullets to pass and penetrate the human body. It will only stretch until the time that the bullet’s speed will eventually stop.

2. Kevlar Body Armor has chemical resistance

Kevlar Body Armor has high chemical resistance. It has the ability to resist damage brought about by chemical reactions. This characteristic allows Kevlar Body Armor to be used on varied environments. You can expose your Kevlar body armor on any chemicals without worrying about degradation and damages.

3. Kevlar Body Armor is highly durable and strong

Kevlar Body Armor has high hardness. It has a characteristic that is five time stronger than steel. This characteristic means that you cannot easily destroy a Kevlar Body Armor. It can take a series of attacks or a higher and stronger form of weapon to be able to greatly damage or destroy a Kevlar Body Armor. This high durability and hardness of Kevlar Body Armor is also well applauded by users because it means that it can resist cuts and other forms of physical threats. Scratches and pressure will also not stand on these body armors.

4. Kevlar Body Armor has high dimensional stability

Dimensional stability is the degree of maintaining its originality. Kevlar Body Armors are known for its high dimensional stability, meaning, it has the ability to retain its original form and size for long periods despite changes in temperatures. Simple stated, Kevlar body armors can be used on varying temperatures, it can withstand humidity and pressure while still maintaining performance. 

Characteristics of Kevlar Body Armor

The nature of work of the police force and the military can be extremely dangerous. Their lives are always in danger wherever they go. Every mission and battles that they go is also a matter of life and death situation for them. Because of this, our police and the military should always safeguard their lives by using body armors. And Kevlar Body Armor has been on top of the line in providing the necessary protection needed by our police force. Many organizations are favoring Kevlar Body armors due to its following characteristics.

1. Lightweight – Kevlar Body Armors are known to be lightweight and yet still safe. When in battle, you don’t just hide to protect yourself. You also have to run, shoot and stay away from bullets. You cannot do these things when your body armor is heavy. You will likely lose in a battle if you cannot fight. This has been the problem before with the metal body armors used in the early times. And with the discovery of Kevlar fabric which is now used for Kevlar Body Armors, the police force can now be more comfortable and can move fast and with ease while still being protected.

2. Strong – Kevlar is a fabric that is five times stronger than steel. And when this is used on body armors, you can also expect a body armor that is a lot stronger and more powerful than steel.

3. Resistance to fire – Kevlar Body Armor is resistant to fire. It has the capability to maintain the inherent strength integrity of the seams of the FR material thus effective in brushing off fires.

4. Comfort – Kevlar body armors are comfortable when worn. It doesn’t have irritating effects on the skin because they are covered with cotton carriers. The material is also thin enabling movements and it is breathable. Wearers of Kevlar body armor can still be comfortable even when they are on places with high temperatures. 

Different Kevlar Body Armors that you can buy

The following are the different kinds of Kevlar Body Armor products made by DuPont Company. Ensure your maximum protection and safety by buying one or two Kevlar made body armors.

1. Bulletproof vests – Kevlar Body Armor such as the bulletproof vest are designed to keep the safety of police officers from a wide form of threats. Their Kevlar made body armor was improved to give protection from higher level bullets, edged weapons and explosions. This particular Kevlar body armor is a latest innovation that reduces deformation by 15% and weight by 10%. You can also expect high performance, effectiveness and flexibility from this Kevlar Body Armor.

2. Helmets – Get more protection from speeding bullets, shrapnel and explosions and other forms of threats by wearing a Kevlar made helmet. This particular Kevlar Body Armor is a state of the art innovation that absorbs more kinetic energy than other military helmets. This product is also lightweight, providing mobility such as running and shooting. You will also not feel too much fatigue when wearing this Kevlar Body Armor since it was designed to reduce stress and fatigue. Furthermore, the latest improvement for the Kevlar body armor helmet provided an increase performance and an added reduction in weight.

3. Gloves – This Kevlar Body Armor gloves is used to protect hands from cuts, slashes, abrasions and fire. This glove is also heat resistant making it highly recommend to be used in combats.

4. Military Armors – DuPont has specially made Kevlar Body Armors for the military. The military force faces high risk and hazards from combats. Going to battles can even cost their lives or any parts of their body so it is essential that they stay protected by using Kevlar body Armors. These Kevlar body armors are extremely light, give comfort and mobility and help reduce fatigue when on field. The military will have more chances of survival if they wear Kevlar body armors.

Phases Involved in the Testing of the Kevlar Body Armor

Though the years, government organizations has been in constant search of a possible material for the production of lightweight body armor that their police force can wear ever day. And the discovery of Kevlar in the 1960s by Stephanie Kwoek has led various innovations and improvements regarding soft and lightweight body armors. This discovery introduced the Kevlar Body Armor by DuPont Company to address the need for lightweight body armors. But before this Kevlar Body Armor can be made available to the public, rigorous and intensive testing must be made first. There are four phases that the Kevlar Body Armor has undergone before it was proven effective to resist bullets and to give protection.  

1. The first phase involved is its capability to resist bullets.

The first phase involved the testing of the Kevlar Body armor. Various pistol shots were made to determine if the fabric has the potential to stop a bullet. This experiment has proved them that Kevlar fabric indeed has the capability to stop a speeding bullet.

2. The second phase involved the number of layers of Kevlar fibers needed to prevent penetration.

In the first phase, the ability of the Kevlar Body Armor to stop a bullet was certified. And the next thing that they need to do is to determine how many layers are needed in order to prevent the bullet from entering the body. Experiments made involved the use of different pistols and guns at varying speeds in order to come up with a standard that can protect the police force from common threats.

3. The third phase is the medical testing

Medical testing involves the extensive testing of the performance and effectiveness of the Kevlar Body Armor. Even if Kevlar has can stop bullets, it cannot divert or avoid the impact or force of the bullet. This is called a blunt trauma. This medical testing is done to determine how the Kevlar body armor can prevent the sustenance of injuries by the body, the effects of blunt trauma and the possible injuries that can be suffered as a result of the force of the bullet.

4. The fourth phase is the determination of wear ability

In order to be useful and used as a protective covering, the Kevlar Body Armor must be tested for its wear ability. The objective of this phase is to settle if the body armor will not produce pressure or any tension on the torso while wearing it. Moreover, comfort ability and ease of movements must also be determined. 

Questions to Ask Your Supplier about Kevlar Body Armor

When we buy a product that we need, we look for the best deal that we can have. That is a good quality product with the reasonable price. Price should be reasonable because good quality products come with a good price also. This should be the principle that we must apply when buying our Kevlar Body Armor. Good quality Kevlar body armor at a believable and acceptable price. How can you ensure that you are buying a good quality Kevlar Body Armor? Here are some of questions that you can ask on your supplier when buying for a Kevlar Body Armor.

1. What are the other components included in your Kevlar Body Armor? What is the percentage of Kevlar materials used?

There are suppliers or retailers selling fake Kevlar Body Armors so check the content. There are also retailers, who are claiming that their products are made from 100% percent original Kevlar materials but in reality, the Kevlar component is just below 50% percent. Meaning, the manufacturer must have incorporated low quality materials along with the Kevlar such as cotton fabrics or nylon.

2. Is it possible to personally test their Kevlar Body Armor product?

If possible, you can ask your retailer that you personally test a sample product. Some retailers accommodate these requests especially if you are going to buy in bulk. Moreover, as cautious buyer, it is really necessary that you test your armor product before buying. This will allow you to see the genuineness of the Kevlar Body Armor and will also enable you to see the effectiveness of the product. 

3. Are they an authorized dealer of Kevlar Body Armor?

To make sure that you are buying an authentic Kevlar Body Armor, you can ask if they are certified distributor by DuPont Company. Being a certified by DuPont Company means that they have passed and met the standards of DuPont as an official distributor. Moreover, the presence of certification means that they are a reliable supplier.