- Messages
- 131
- Reactions
- 351
Mods: If this is the wrong forum for this I apologize but this place seemed to be the most appropriate to me.
So I've been digging through patents and whatnot looking for information on how they make Rifle plates like SAPI/ESAPI and have found that its not really that difficult to get the individual components to put together some (probably) pretty decent plates that offer up to NIJ IV levels of protection.
Now I know there are videos of people on Youtube that cobble something together out of fiberglass/epoxy and bathroom tiles and call it good but what I am looking to do is get actual Kevlar 29 (not all Kevlar is Ballistic), UHMWPE fabric (also thinking of testing UHMWPE plate), sintered silicone carbide ceramic and maybe some titanium diboride ceramic (depending on cost and availability).
So here is my question to you all: If I could produce a kit that included everything you need (bonding agents, Kevlar, sintered silicone carbide ceramic or UHMPWE plate, a jig and instructions) AND provide good scientific evidence(or as scientific as the NIJ testing methodology can be) that points to it being something that works is that something you would considering picking up ?
Obviously price is something that will depend on what kind of materials I end up finding works the best and weighs the least while still being cheaper than just buying a ready made plate. What I've seen so far price wise has me pretty optimistic and I'm thinking I might be able to produce level III+ and IV plates at around 60% of what they cost to buy from China. Now of course this is all before I've done any testing, this is just based on patents, youtube videos, and prices on alibaba, amazon and ebay.
At any rate let me know what you all think of this idea and of course as I get around to actual ordering of materials and testing I'll post my results here somewhere on the forums.
So I've been digging through patents and whatnot looking for information on how they make Rifle plates like SAPI/ESAPI and have found that its not really that difficult to get the individual components to put together some (probably) pretty decent plates that offer up to NIJ IV levels of protection.
Now I know there are videos of people on Youtube that cobble something together out of fiberglass/epoxy and bathroom tiles and call it good but what I am looking to do is get actual Kevlar 29 (not all Kevlar is Ballistic), UHMWPE fabric (also thinking of testing UHMWPE plate), sintered silicone carbide ceramic and maybe some titanium diboride ceramic (depending on cost and availability).
So here is my question to you all: If I could produce a kit that included everything you need (bonding agents, Kevlar, sintered silicone carbide ceramic or UHMPWE plate, a jig and instructions) AND provide good scientific evidence(or as scientific as the NIJ testing methodology can be) that points to it being something that works is that something you would considering picking up ?
Obviously price is something that will depend on what kind of materials I end up finding works the best and weighs the least while still being cheaper than just buying a ready made plate. What I've seen so far price wise has me pretty optimistic and I'm thinking I might be able to produce level III+ and IV plates at around 60% of what they cost to buy from China. Now of course this is all before I've done any testing, this is just based on patents, youtube videos, and prices on alibaba, amazon and ebay.
At any rate let me know what you all think of this idea and of course as I get around to actual ordering of materials and testing I'll post my results here somewhere on the forums.