Is UHMWPE better than Kevlar?

When people think of &#;Kevlar&#; most imagine a vest &#; any vest &#; that stops bullets. Many assume that the modern American warfighter still wears Kevlar vests just like his predecessors in the s. In fact, the Kevlar Personnel Armor System for Ground Troops (PASGT) and modern plate carrier have little in common with each other.

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For starters, Kevlar is actually a registered trademark of the Dupont company, who originally used the lightweight but highly durable material as a replacement for steel in racing tires. Kevlar itself is a blend of a tough but light material called aramid that is unique to Dupont. Other companies produce aramid fibers and armor but cannot legally use the Kevlar brand name.

In contrast, the armored ceramic plates are made of various materials such as steel, ceramics, or most commonly, ultra-high-molecular-weight-polyethylene also known as UHMWPE. While hard armor plates can be made of Kevlar, UHMWPE provides some advantages Kevlar lacks.

When the United States military first started issuing Kevlar body armor en masse to its troops, it came in the form of the PASGT system in the s. This revolutionary body system replaced the aging flak jacket used in the Vietnam War, which relied on ballistic nylon and was never meant to survive a direct impact from even small pistol calibers. The PASGT system, on the other hand, was built with lightweight, flexible Kevlar. The new armor could stop 9mm rounds but would only slow down a round if hit by a larger rifle bullet, which would still penetrate.

Despite the fact it could defeat 9mm, the PASGT was meant to only protect against fragmentation threats. For rifle rounds, the Army needed something sturdier. Beginning in , full production of a new, exciting vest came underway. The Interceptor Body Armor was made of Kevlar aramid fibers while protected from the front and back by solid plates. This new type of armor could take on direct hits from 7.62x39mm rounds and survive. This isn&#;t to say that the UHMWPE is the end-all be all in terms of personal armor, but it comes close.

STRENGTH

Bulletproof materials require immense strength, and tensile strength measured in pascals determines how much stress a material can take before it breaks under tension. While Kevlar is quite sturdy with its tensile strength of 3,620 megapascals (compared to the 400 megapascals of structural steel), it pales in comparison to UHMWPE, which has a tensile strength so high it can stretch from 4 to 10 gigapascals, making it the world&#;s strongest fiber.

Winner: UHMWPE

DURABILITY

Aramid fibers like those in a Kevlar vest decay faster than UHMWPE and are degraded by UV light. A Kevlar vest will usually begin to show signs of degradation after five years, after which time it would no longer be wise &#; or safe &#; to trust one&#;s life to the vest, while UHMWPE fibers in armor tend to persist for far longer, thanks to their unique molecular structure, which makes them resistant to water, moisture, chemicals, ultraviolet radiation and microorganisms.

Winner: UHMWPE

TEMPERATURE

When operating in a warm environment, UHMWPE&#;s light weight and high heat resistance make it a primary candidate for service in deserts and prairies. In contrast, aramid vests are excellent at retaining heat, which makes them more suitable for cold weather operations.

Winner: Varies

MOISTURE RETENTION

&#;UHMWPE is waterproof, and unlike steel or any other metal, will not rust or corrode. This unique property is highly valued among both the Navy SEALs and shark divers, who use UHMWPE as part of their armor. Certain companies sell shark-proof wetsuits with UHMWPE sewn in with the nylon, while SEALs regularly utilize UHMWPE plate carriers during UDT operations. Aramid, on the other hand, can take on water. Wearing a bulletproof vest in a wet or humid environment can result in an aramid vest taking on as much as 3.5% of its own weight in water.

Winner: UHMWPE

If someone wants something with a combination of the benefits of both fibers, they should look into BulletSafe vests. BulletSafe offers bulletproof vests made of a blend of Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene with a blend of aramid fibers, giving users a wide array of options from bulletproof backpacks to soft armor and hard plates. BulletSafe vests are NIJ certified, and the company is committed to providing affordable quality bulletproof products to any and all protection-minded individuals.

Body armor plays a crucial role in protecting individuals, particularly those in law enforcement, military, and security professions. In recent years, two popular materials have emerged as leading contenders in the realm of ballistic protection: Kevlar and Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE). In this blog post, we will delve into the advantages and disadvantages of both Kevlar body armor and UHMWPE body armor, enabling you to make an informed decision when considering which option suits your needs best. 

Kevlar Body Armor: 

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Kevlar, developed by DuPont, is a well-established synthetic fiber that has been widely used in body armor for decades. Here are some of its key advantages and disadvantages: 

Advantages of Kevlar Body Armor: 

a. Proven Track Record: Kevlar has a long-standing reputation for its effectiveness in stopping bullets, thanks to its high tensile strength and excellent energy absorption properties. 

b. Resistance to Cuts and Slashes: Kevlar is resistant to cuts and slashes, making it highly suitable for protecting against sharp-edged weapons. 

c. Comfortable and Flexible: Kevlar body armor offers good flexibility, allowing ease of movement and enhanced comfort during extended wear periods. 

d. Thermal Stability: Kevlar retains its protective qualities even under high temperatures, making it suitable for use in various environments. 

Disadvantages of Kevlar Body Armor: 

a. Bulky and Heavy: Kevlar body armor can be quite heavy and bulky, which may hinder mobility and agility in certain situations. 

b. Water Absorption: Kevlar has a propensity to absorb water, which can reduce its ballistic performance and increase its weight when exposed to wet conditions. 

c. Limited Multi-Hit Capabilities: While effective against most common threats, Kevlar body armor has limitations when facing multiple high-velocity impacts in a concentrated area. 

Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) Body Armor: 

UHMWPE is a newer material gaining popularity due to its exceptional ballistic performance. Let's explore its advantages and disadvantages: 

Advantages of UHMWPE Body Armor: 

a. Lightweight: UHMWPE body armor offers remarkable weight reduction compared to Kevlar, allowing for increased mobility and decreased fatigue during prolonged use. 

b. Enhanced Multi-Hit Capability: UHMWPE exhibits excellent multi-hit performance, as its molecular structure disperses and absorbs the energy of impact across a wider area. 

c. Reduced Backface Signature: UHMWPE can minimize the energy transferred to the wearer, reducing the risk of injury and trauma caused by the backface deformation of the armor. 

d. Resistance to Water Absorption: Unlike Kevlar, UHMWPE has superior resistance to water absorption, maintaining its protective properties even when exposed to wet conditions. 

Disadvantages of HMWPE Body Armor: 

a. Vulnerability to Sharp-Edged Weapons: UHMWPE is generally less effective than Kevlar when it comes to protecting against sharp-edged weapons due to its reduced resistance to cuts and slashes. 

b. Lower Heat Resistance: HMWPE may experience a decrease in ballistic performance when exposed to high temperatures, which can be a concern in certain operational environments. 

c. Cost: HMWPE body armor tends to be more expensive compared to Kevlar due to the complexity of its manufacturing process and advanced materials used. 

Conclusion: Both Kevlar body armor and Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) body armor offer distinct advantages and disadvantages. Kevlar has been on the market longer and is known for cut resistance and thermal stability; while UHMWPE offers lightweight design, enhanced multi-hit capability, and reduced backface signature. Choosing the right body armor material depends on your specific requirements and operational context. In general, we recommend PE, but this does not fit the bill for everyone. Evaluating the advantages and disadvantages outlined in this article will help you make an informed decision to ensure your optimal protection.

Remember to consider factors such as comfort, weight, threats faced, and budgetary constraints when making your selection. Ultimately, both Kevlar and UHMWPE body armor contribute to the ongoing advancements in protective gear, pushing the boundaries of personal safety and ensuring the well-being of those who rely on these technologies to perform their vital duties in high-risk environments.

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