Polyethylene Bulletproof Vests Better Than Kevlar

teflonscout writes "When I think of bulletproof vests, the first word that comes to mind is Kevlar. Wired is running a story on Dynema SB61, a bulletproof material that is made of polyethylene. It is a higher grade of the plastic found in Tupperware. The story also mentions the recall of Second Chance bulletproof vests that were made from Zylon, a material that degraded slowly when exposed to moisture. At least one police officer was injured when a bullet penetrated his Zylon vest. Polyethylene is impervious to moisture. The first vests made from this new material are 5mm thick and can stop a 9mm bullet traveling at 1777 feet per second, which is slightly better than other top of the line vests."

Comments

Back to the drawing board.

[grub]

Dynema SB61, a bulletproof material that is made of polyethylene. It is a higher grade of the plastic found in Tupperware.

There goes my idea for a zip-tie & Tupperware bulletproof vest. It also explains why the prototypes failed in the field.

Re:Back to the drawing board.

[R3d M3rcury]

So, it's a "life vest" then?

Thank you folks. I'll be here all week. Try the veal.

Re:Back to the drawing board.

[mooingyak]

Those who would sacrifice mobility for safety deserve neither.

Re:Back to the drawing board.

[Hoi Polloi]

But their salad bowl makes a great helmet. Plus it keeps your head fresh.

Re:Back to the drawing board.

[Paradise Pete]

But their salad bowl makes a great helmet. Plus it keeps your head fresh.

Only if you remember to burp it occasionally.

Re:Back to the drawing board.

[Samah]

In other news:
Ballistics scientists have developed a new style of 9mm bullet made of a stronger polyethelene form of Dynema SB61.
During a test, at least one police officer wearing a Dynema SB61 vest was killed.
The new bullets are expected to be available at all Walmart stores within the next 6 months.

tupperware is serious business

[HiddenCamper]

After what I put my tupperware through im not surprised that it can stop a bullet

Tupperware vests?

[kammat]

Do they burp when they're hit?

Thanks for the warning

[L. VeGas]

It is a higher grade of the plastic found in Tupperware. Good thing they mentioned this. I had already put a bowl on my head and was about to test it out.

Dynema?

[Red Flayer]

I think maybe they should rethink the name of the material ("Dynema SB61")when/if it goes into production.

I, for one, would rather not have my bulletproof vest sound like it's a cross of high explosives and bowel cleansing kits.

Re:The Future of Tupperware Parties

[hal2814]

"especially in hot/wet conditions"

And it really brings a whole new dimension to crotchpot cooking.

Re:impervious to water, how about body heat?

[Noxx]

If it's basically like wearing a big plastic slab, isn't that going to get super hot?

That's why you lacquer the chestplates in white to dissipate heat, and give them a black spandex bodysuit underneath...add a scary looking helmet and most of your vitals are covered. In theory it should deflect blaster bolts. Where I'm stationed we wear them all the time (I work in law enforcement).

In practice, they don't stop crap. Like last week this scruffy-looking nutjob with a walking carpet for a sidekick breaks in to rescue his girlfriend. Next thing we know there's a weapons malfunction down in the cell block, and four of my buddies find out the chestplates don't quite work as advertised.

I hate this posting...maybe I can get transferred before something else goes wrong.

- TK421

Re:impervious to water, how about body heat?

[Shinmizu]

I hear Endor's a pretty easy assignment.

Polystyrene Bulletproof Vests Better Than Caviar

[G3ckoG33k]

Which is how my tired morning eyes read that headline.