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Science continues...Wood into armor... |
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Kickboxer
MODERATOR Moderator Joined: February/13/2008 Status: Offline Points: 23679 |
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Posted: August/09/2019 at 07:44 |
Scientists at University of Maryland have discovered a simple, inexpensive, two-step process, similar to making paper, whereby common wood can be compressed and hardened into armor. It has many other uses, as well (such as car bodies... completely reengineering design processes, wall coverings, etc) but for discussion sake only the armor aspect is addressed here. Testing has shown that the armor is only slightly less effective than Kevlar and carries only 5% the cost. it is extremely light and can be supplemented to create tremendously effective armor, stronger than steel and titanium alloys. The other very interesting byproduct of this research is that the same process produces a substance that can be mixed with plexiglass and appears to allow greater light transmission through the substance than plexiglass alone. Research continues.
Go Maryland. |
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Opinion,untempered by fact,is ignorance.
There are some who do not fear death... for they are more afraid of not really living |
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Sgt. D
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: February/20/2008 Location: North Carolina Status: Offline Points: 4525 |
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Anything lighter than the porcelain plates we had to wear would be a God send!! The weight of those plates combined with the rest of my gear is what took me out of service and ended my career. Since they were first issued they have saved so many lives and ended so many careers due to back injury. A very costly solution that desperately needs something better like this!
"Go Maryland." indeed!!! Salute!
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Take care of Soldiers, Show em how its done and do it with em, Run to the Fight & and hold your ground! I die my men go home! If you're a NCO and this ain't you. GET OUT! GOD BLESS AMERICA!
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Rancid Coolaid
MODERATOR Joined: January/19/2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 9318 |
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Wait, the ceramic plates? You didn't like the ceramic plates? Damn, mine are at least a few pounds per plate lighter than the other option, the steel plates.
The paper armor will be good for pistol, but if they are a Kevlar replacement, won't address rifle. Everyone hates plates - right up to that movement when it catches a round, then people LOVE their plates. |
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Freedom is something you take.
Respect is something you earn. Equality is something you whine about not being given. |
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Scrumbag
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: October/22/2013 Location: London, UK Status: Offline Points: 4205 |
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Interesting research. Lignin is indeed cool stuff!
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Was sure I had a point when I started this post...
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BeltFed
Optics Retard Joined: February/12/2008 Location: Ky Status: Offline Points: 22284 |
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Having hefted a few military surplus plate carrier vest with the plates in them at gun shows, I can't understand how they sell any. When I first got on the PD I bought a level IIA vest. It wasn't required, but kind of encouraged. It covered everything of the torso. I wore it 2 nights and stuck it in a drawer. Months later I got a deal on a Second Chance level IIIA light weight vest that only covered the vital areas of the torso front and back. I wore it for over 10 years. Now PDs buy officers vest that are usually level IIA and cover everything and require the officers to wear them. Kevlar is great, but if somebody invents a better material, then I'm all for it.
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Life's concerns should be about the 120lb pack your trying to get to the top of the mountain, and not the rock in your boot.
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Sgt. D
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: February/20/2008 Location: North Carolina Status: Offline Points: 4525 |
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Oh, at the time you couldn't separate me from my plate armor. I well understood the value of it. Didn't know at the time I was killing my back and wouldn't have cared because I saw first hand how effective they were in stopping bullets and shrapnel. What angered me was to learn later that better, lighter armor was available and that it is was well know since 2000 that the plate armor had "helped" cause countless back injuries. Course I also learned that we were expendable so if we survived with back injuries "what are you complaining about?". Don't know what you are comparing to for weight cause I have no experience with anything else. These plates were heavy. Dan mentioned that with "enhancements" this new armor could be brought up to spec. Salute!
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Take care of Soldiers, Show em how its done and do it with em, Run to the Fight & and hold your ground! I die my men go home! If you're a NCO and this ain't you. GET OUT! GOD BLESS AMERICA!
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Son of Ed
Chuck Norris Joined: June/18/2011 Location: TEXAS Status: Offline Points: 122178 |
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This is why I prefer walnut stocks.......
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Visit the Ed Show
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Sgt. D
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: February/20/2008 Location: North Carolina Status: Offline Points: 4525 |
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Edited by Sgt. D - August/09/2019 at 20:47 |
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Take care of Soldiers, Show em how its done and do it with em, Run to the Fight & and hold your ground! I die my men go home! If you're a NCO and this ain't you. GET OUT! GOD BLESS AMERICA!
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Rancid Coolaid
MODERATOR Joined: January/19/2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 9318 |
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Up to spec to stop handgun is not too toigh; up to spec to stop rifle is not easy.
I first had steel.plates, they were 10+ each. Later got ceramic, I think they are 7 each. My gear still carries ceramic plates.
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Freedom is something you take.
Respect is something you earn. Equality is something you whine about not being given. |
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