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Posted on April 1, 2006 by Jordon Kelker | Posted under Interior Decorating
Armored Fabrics
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Armored fabrics are tested for performance to benefit the military, the police, firefighters, medical personnel and aerospace engineers. Armored fabrics are rigid or soft body armor protective applications. In 1965, a scientist working in a corporate lab discovered a fiber that was incredibly strong while also lightweight and flexible. The fiber was named Kevlar and the possibilities were endless. Kevlar is a man-made fiber that is five times stronger than steel, and extremely lightweight. Kevlar fibers are 43% lower in density than fiberglass. Kevlar fabrics are used at times for protective applications by the military and law enforcement agencies for bullet resistant vests and helmets. The military has found that helmets reinforced with Kevlar offer 25-40% better fragmentation resistance when compared with steel helmets while providing better fit and greater comfort. Bullet resistant vests using Kevlar cloth have saved thousands of police officers and military personnel in the line of duty. Kevlar fabric also offers excellent thermal protection in items such as gloves and boots since it can withstand heat and is inherently flame resistant. Armored fabrics have been found to be bullet resistant, lightweight, flexible comfortable cut resistant, puncture resistant, chemical resistant, and flame resistant. Many items such as vests, chaps, aprons, bomb blankets, gloves and blast resistant suits are made for soft body armor. Items such as helmets, armored vehicles, cargo containers, military humvees, blast containment, armor plates and shields, and cockpit doors are examples of rigid armor made with such sturdy fabrics. Bullet proof vests are one of the most public known items made with armored fabric. The vest does not protect the wearer by deflecting the bullets. Instead, the layers of material catch the bullet and spread it force over a larger portion of the body, absorbing energy more quickly and hopefully bringing it to a stop before it can penetrate into the body. This tends to deform the bullet, further reducing its ability to penetrate. Special designed vests are available that can provide protection against bladed weapons and sharp objects. They are often used in prison-guard vests. This is done by coating the outer surface of the vest with tiny crystals of a sandpaper-like material or placing a very thin plate of resin hardened glass-fibre sheet between the Kevlar layers. This is important for the safety of law enforcement and prison guard personnel. About The Author: Jordon Kelker has over 8 years of experience in the fabric decor department for a large retailing store. He enjoys helping customers with their selection of fabric and giving them insights on latest trends and styles. Jordon shares views and comments on http://www.decorator-fabric.com |
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