Bulletproof Vest Alternative Materials

Future bulletproof vests may use spider silk.

The majority of bulletproof vests you see are made from tightly wound layers of synthetic fiber called Kevlar, according to Tech FAQ. Kevlar is five times stronger than steel, but some alternatives can provide more flexibility and better protection.

Dragon Scales

The most well-known alternative to Kevlar are discs of silicon carbide ceramic fashioned together so they end up looking like fish scales, according to Tech FAQ. The U.S. Army does not approve of dragon scales, but the Secret Service uses this type of armor.

Considerations

Highly refined polyethylene, a light, synthesized plastic, is another material often used for body armor. The same company that makes this strong plastic armor--Dyneema--released an even stronger version in 2007 called Dyneema SB61, according to Wired Magazine.

Potential

The future holds several alternatives to Kevlar. We will probably see synthetic fibers woven together at the nano scale to remove imperfections. Spider silk may also become a viable material. In 2010, scientists discovered the silk of Caerostris darwini to be 10 times stronger than Kevlar.

References

• Tech FAQ: Body Armor
• Wired Magazine: New Material for Thinner, Lighter Body Armor
• Defense Review: Future Body Armor: Is Nanotech Ballistic Fiber the Next Step in Soft Body Armor?
• Wired Magazine: Gigantic Spider Webs Made of Silk Tougher Than Kevlar