Researchers at BAE systems in Bristol combined a “shear-thickening” liquid with the existing material used in bullet-proof vests – called Kevlar – to create the new armour. The chemical formula of the new liquid is being kept secret but scientists say it works by thickening and becoming sticky on impact with a bullet.
Stewart Penny, BAE’s business development manager, described the new material as “bullet-proof custard”. He told the BBC: “It’s very similar to custard in the sense that the molecules lock together when it’s struck.” To test the new armour, scientists used a large gas gun to fire spherical-shaped bullets at more than 300 metres per second. They fired one set of bullets at 31 layers of untreated Kevlar and another set at 10 layers of Kevlar combined with the new “shear-thickening” liquid.
The results showed that the Kevlar and liquid mix was more effective. “The Kevlar with the liquid works much faster and the impact isn’t anything like as deep,” Mr Penny said. Mr Penny claims the new light-weight material could eventually replace the “thick, heavy-layered plates” of Kevlar used in existing bullet-proof vests for soldiers.
Read more at The Telegraph
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Got to love non-Newtonian liquids
Begs the question, how are they going to keep the liquid in place in a vertically fitted flak jacket? Fine if you’re shot in the waist, but a bugger if hit in the shoulder.
Spherical bullets from a gas powered gun? I’d love this to work, as having fewer layers I’m guessing gives more flexibility and less weight would have massive applications for defending civilians in war torn regions (i’m imagining a bullet-proof blanket or barricade) but won’t pointed bullets from a rifle have more penetrating power?
Armour made of custard…..and guns made of bananas.
George Carlin – We Like War – you tube : ) not for the easily offended.
Sounds like a material called d3o. Google it, awesome stuff hitting the mainstream in all kinds of things now.
Woah, I was just the other day thinking it would be cool to make a bulletproof vest of a gel which had the same properties as cornflour and water, i.e. flexible enough to move comfortably in, but would harden on a bullet impact.
THE GOVERMENT IS READING MY MIND!!!!!! GET MY FOIL HAT!!!