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Science continues...Wood into armor...

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Kickboxer View Drop Down
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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.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Sgt. D Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/09/2019 at 07:52
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!!!
 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Rancid Coolaid Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/09/2019 at 08:45
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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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Scrumbag Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/09/2019 at 09:46
Interesting research. Lignin is indeed cool stuff!
Was sure I had a point when I started this post...
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote BeltFed Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/09/2019 at 09:52
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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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Sgt. D Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/09/2019 at 10:20
Originally posted by Rancid Coolaid Rancid Coolaid wrote:

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.
 
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.
 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Son of Ed Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/09/2019 at 17:51
This is why I prefer walnut stocks.......
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Sgt. D Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/09/2019 at 20:32


Edited by Sgt. D - August/09/2019 at 20:47
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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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Rancid Coolaid Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/09/2019 at 22:58
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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