Kevlar based Body Armor

By: Alex De Mostafa

In the mid 70s DuPont Corporation invented a synthetic fiber which was named as Kevlar. This fiber when tightly woven and layers were used for Body Armor which showed amazing results. The Body Armor made out of Kevlar were immediately approved and inducted by the US law enforcement agencies as the lightweight of this Body Armor made it possible for unrestricted movement while providing effective protection. The initial Body Armor made out of Kevlar consisted of 15 layers of Kevlar fabric which was reinforced with a 5 inch by 8 inch steel plate made out of ballistic steel places strategically to protect the heart. The design was patented by the inventor Richard A Armellino. These strategically placed plates cam to be called as “trauma plates” and are still in use on most of the conceivable Body Armor with the intention of reducing blunt trauma all the while protecting the vital organs of the wearer.

1976 saw the introduction of a full 100% Kevlar only vest called the Model-Y by one Richard Davis who founded the company called Second Chance Body Armor. This was a light weight conceivable Body Armor meant for every day use by the police force. Till now this Body Armor has a record of saving as many as more than 2000 lives in the last 30 years of service proving its success.
Though Kevlar vests had saved so many lives, they were found ineffective in reducing the blunt trauma injuries suffered from some high velocity bullets and large fragments. In 1994 the US military saw the development of the ‘Ranger Body Armor’ which ensured protection against rifle hits all the while being light enough for combat infantry soldiers but lacked protection round the neck and the shoulders.

The latest avatar of Kevlar based Body Armor are the “Interceptor Multi-Threat Body Armor System”. These are rated to provide protection from sub machine gun fire. These vest include ceramic plates to be worn at front and back to provide protection against the NATO Rifle 7.62 x 51 mm ammunition.

Doug Chase writes on topics such as Body Armor and Body Armor for Tactical Gears Visit Kevlar based Body Armor.