In this blog post, we will look at how effective bulletproof vests and helmets are in protecting us from bullets and explosives.
Watching war movies, I began to wonder. How much can bulletproof vests and helmets protect our bodies on the battlefield where bullets fly around so fast? What are bulletproof vests and helmets made of? Can they really protect our bodies safely? This blog post started with these questions.
The importance of body armor in war cannot be overstated. In the past, soldiers fought battles wearing heavy armor made of iron or steel, but modern warfare involves the use of high-velocity weapons such as guns, so body armor needs to be lighter and made of stronger materials. In modern warfare, speed is the key to survival, so body armor must not only protect but also be lightweight enough to maintain the wearer’s mobility as much as possible. So, what materials are currently used to make body armor and helmets, and how effectively do they protect us?
It is necessary to look at the materials that make up the bulletproof vests and helmets. The fibers that make up the bulletproof material are Kevlar, a high-strength synthetic fiber developed by Stephanie Kwolek, a chemist who worked for DuPont in the United States, in anticipation of a shortage of gasoline. In 1964, her research team discovered a unique polymer material while researching fibers that could be used to make light and strong tires. As a result, the modern-day Kevlar was introduced in 1971.
Kevlar is synthesized in the following process. Hydrochloric acid is released from the condensation reaction of 1,4-phenylenediamine and terephthaloyl chloride, forming a polymeric material. The material produced in this process is a liquid crystal polymer with excellent strength and flexibility. This fiber is widely used not only in body armor but also in various industrial fields. In particular, Kevlar boasts a strength five times greater than steel, and its robustness has made it an essential material not only in the military sector but also in many other fields, including aerospace, automotive, and sports.
Kevlar’s strong characteristics are due to its molecular structure. Kevlar fibers have high tensile strength and excellent heat resistance, effectively absorbing and dispersing external shocks. In particular, when high-speed bullets fly, the impact energy is dispersed between the fibers to prevent penetration. Thanks to these properties, Kevlar plays an important role in protecting the wearer from gunfire. However, even this powerful Kevlar has its limitations. It weakens its performance at high temperatures and has the property of gradually losing its strength over time.
However, despite being such an important piece of protective equipment, its perfection is sometimes questioned in reality. Wearing a bulletproof vest does not guarantee safety from all types of threats. For example, a bulletproof vest made of Kevlar may be effective against pistol bullets, but it may have limitations against more powerful rifle bullets or shrapnel flying down a highway. This is why there has been a lot of recent activity in the development of new materials that can provide even stronger protection. With the application of innovative new materials such as carbon fiber, ceramic plates, and graphene to body armor, a new generation of bulletproof equipment is emerging that provides even higher levels of protection.
The technological advancements in body armor are not only useful on the battlefield. They also play an important role in protecting the lives of police officers in shootouts with criminals and ensuring the safety of special agents who are put into dangerous situations. Recently, body armor has been increasingly used in everyday life. As the threat of terrorism grows, bulletproof bags and bulletproof glass are also being introduced, all of which use high-performance bulletproof materials such as Kevlar.
Kevlar is also widely used in fields other than body armor. As mentioned earlier, it is light yet boasts a strength five times that of steel, so it is widely used in products that require high durability, such as reinforcing cables for suspension bridges, explosion-proof airplane luggage containers, manufacturing safe and strong car tires, durable sails, and drum heads. In addition, Kevlar is attracting attention as a safe casing for electronic equipment and a fire-resistant building material due to its high fire resistance and insulation. As such, Kevlar is not just used in military equipment, but also plays an important role in various aspects of our daily lives.
The development of these materials is the result of continuous efforts to find ways for humans to protect themselves and improve their quality of life. The development of bulletproof materials will continue, and this will lead to the development of safer and more efficient protective equipment.
