Kevlar is an organic fiber and it belongs to the aromatic polyamide family. It combines lightweight with high strength and protection with comfort. It is 5 times stronger than steel in terms of weight. This distinctive mixture combines various attributes and makes certain that every member of the law enforcement, the military, and the corrections personnel is safe from harm in different forms like shrapnel, switchblades, knives, and bullets. The best Kevlar garments have successfully saved the lives of many law enforcement officials so far.
What Is Kevlar
Stephanie Kwolek was a chemist and worked for DuPont during her Kevlar discovery. Kevlar is mostly used with body armor and in tires. It was initially used to replace the steel strap in driving tires. Today, it becomes an important element in personal protection especially after the US military started issuing Kevlar body armor and also helmets to serve personnel in the 1980s.
DuPont successfully discovered Kevlar in 1965. Scientists ensured that chemical bonds between all atoms were strong before the invention of Kevlar. Researchers failed to arrange such molecules into large structures especially relative to the molecule’s size for capitalization on this strength.
The main reason behind the advantage of the low-weight structure of the Kevlar is using organic polymers associated with light elements like nitrogen, carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen instead of heavy elements such as carbon. The density of the Kevlar fiber is 1.4g per cubic centimeter. However, the density of the iron is 7.9g per cubic centimeter.
Molecule arrangements
The complete molecule chains within the organic fiber required to be extended fully and perfectly aligned to make them stiff, strong, and tough. The maximum level of alignment was not easy to achieve. On the other hand, Kevlar fibers are entirely based on poly-para phenylene terephthalamide. This rigid molecule makes it easy to realize the straight or extended chain configuration.
Rigid molecules arrange in solutions namely liquid crystalline and underscore for their good organization. Molecules of poly-para phenylene terephthalamide behave the same as uncooked spaghetti and molecules with a less rigid nature behave like cooked spaghetti’s strand. The nature of the molecules makes it easy to get the desired aligned structure properly.
The poly-para phenylene terephthalamide strongly resists the maximum temperatures and also flames. This also offers strength under heat and protects against all thermal hazards up to the temperature of 800 degrees Fahrenheit.
Different applications of the Kevlar
Unusual and good properties make the Kevlar very useful for various applications like cut-resistant gloves, ballistic vests, and blast and flame barriers. This material has successfully boosted the performance of the sports gear.
The main applications in this category are bicycle tires with puncture-resistant and virtually flat-free type, lightweight boats with the maximum tolerance, running shoes with the design to increase the runner’s energy output, and very durable lightweight sails tolerating the saltwater and high winds.
Active shooter situations are common in workplaces and schools. Everyone needs the highest-rated bulletproof materials designed to stand between them and the individual threatening their safety. Archers also require such protection to protect against them from arrows, bows, and other archery-related problems in any situation. They are very conscious about how to use bulletproof materials for the complete ballistic defensive structures. They consider their desired level of protection while choosing the bulletproof material and enhance their safety during sports activities.
Bulletproof material in different applications
Kevlar is a popular synthetic fiber with an incredibly strong and heat-resistant nature. This lightweight material is a good choice for bulletproof material in civilian and military applications.
All beginners to the archery think about whether the Kevlar stops an arrow or not. They have to know and remember that such a thing depends on the variables and specific conditions like the surrounding each incident in which the arrows and Kevlar come into contact with each other. This is worthwhile to be conscious about whether arrows pierce bulletproof materials based on protection like Kevlar.
Users of the light and strong Kevlar-based body protection in the archery get the most expected benefits and are confident enough to concentrate only on sports activities without any doubt about their safety. Kevlar is an indispensable part of the battlefield uniform of soldiers.
Is Kevlar good to protect against bullets and arrows?
Though Kevlar protects soldiers and others wearing it from bullets, archers doubt that whether Kevlar protects them against arrows. They must bear in mind that Kevlar is impact-resistant by nature and designed to spread the complete force that any bullet strikes it with right the way through the material. This is an important reason why the majority of the bullets squash upon impact with Kevlar instead of penetrating it entirely.
Arrows are not the same as bullets as they are made to spread upon and follow impact. Bullets cause maximum damage when compared to arrows. Arrows are particularly designed to successfully penetrate the target when they are fired at. The tip of the arrows is sharper and smaller than the bullet.
Arrows are fired with less energy and velocity. This low energy means less dispersal and reduction of impact protection offered by the Kevlar. In most cases, arrows usually do pierce Kevlar when they are fired at Kevlar. However, this situation is not possible when the Kevlar is used in stab vests to prevent damages and injuries from knives and is known for its thick enough nature to stop the arrow. The thickest stab vest and the maximum rated personal armor cannot stop an armor-piercing arrow that is fired from the powerful bow.
Summary
The heat resistance and impact qualities of the Kevlar material make it good for protection to front-line servicemen and women. It provides the best and reliable performance and solid strength as required in various applications especially related to archery. Archers can check every aspect of the Kevlar-based armor and make a good decision to buy and use such armor as per their safety requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
- The bulletproof vest can stop an arrow
It is based on whether or not the bulletproof vest is made of Kevlar or other shielding materials. Arrows pierce soft body armor made of Kevlar and cannot easily pierce hard body armor made of high-density carbon fiber or hardened steel plate.
- Is your designed Kevlar stop an arrow?
Any arrow can do pierce Kevlar in most cases as it is fired at Kevlar. However, the high-quality features of the Kevlar armor protect the user from arrows as maximum as possible.
- Why is Kevlar so strong?
The specific tensile strength and withstanding temperatures nature makes the Kevlar so strong.
- What is bad about Kevlar?
Kevlar has very high pulling strength and poor compressive strength.
Leave a Reply