Using layering increases ballistic resistance because the energy is attracted by adhesive layers and takes on a more laminar direction (shear). There may be believers for 100% PE RF2 performance… I’m just not one of them.
Is their a hard material that can be used that is 6.35mm thick (or can be made as such?) that can replace the additional plate used to be more resistant? Would it even be lighter in the end, or would the cost not justify the means to even try? Would that even pass NIJ? My understanding of UHMWPE is while it is a great in its ballistic properties, at higher temperatures (like being left in a vehicle on a hot day) its ballistic properties can be degraded. With that said I do have a pair of carriers for my wife and I with IIIA+ hard plates for a just in case scenario. This is just a passing hobby of mine and I am always looking for education on the subject.
UHMWPE can stop M855, M193, M855A1 etc. but it has to be thick enough to do the job. A thinner, more powerful solution is to use a hard, ballistic ceramic tile strike face that is bonded to a UHMWPE backing material. There are all sorts of products out there but if you go w NIJ standards, you would need at least armor at the RF2 resistance level to stop 7.62x51mm M80, 7.62x39mm MSC, M193 and M855.
I wonder if its because they were separated it was more effective
Using layering increases ballistic resistance because the energy is attracted by adhesive layers and takes on a more laminar direction (shear). There may be believers for 100% PE RF2 performance… I’m just not one of them.
Is their a hard material that can be used that is 6.35mm thick (or can be made as such?) that can replace the additional plate used to be more resistant? Would it even be lighter in the end, or would the cost not justify the means to even try? Would that even pass NIJ? My understanding of UHMWPE is while it is a great in its ballistic properties, at higher temperatures (like being left in a vehicle on a hot day) its ballistic properties can be degraded. With that said I do have a pair of carriers for my wife and I with IIIA+ hard plates for a just in case scenario. This is just a passing hobby of mine and I am always looking for education on the subject.
UHMWPE can stop M855, M193, M855A1 etc. but it has to be thick enough to do the job. A thinner, more powerful solution is to use a hard, ballistic ceramic tile strike face that is bonded to a UHMWPE backing material. There are all sorts of products out there but if you go w NIJ standards, you would need at least armor at the RF2 resistance level to stop 7.62x51mm M80, 7.62x39mm MSC, M193 and M855.