Bulletproof vests made in Poland

In light of the current economic climate there is a great deal of interest in developing new
defence technology – something Polish scientists have greatly contributed towards. The continually changing geopolitical situation forces scientists to look for new materials and semi-finished products which will help in the development of advanced protective measures.

As we read in the original article

New inventions have been developed by a team of scientists from Warsaw University of Technology, Military Institute of Armament Technology and the Institute for Security Technology Moratex in Lodz. This new product has been developed within the project “Smart Passive armour using rheological fluid nano structures” under the operational programme “Innovative Economy”. Currently, the materials are used in the production of ballistic vests and are characterized by high rigidity and inflexibility. Although necessary for protection these vests are extremely uncomfortable for the user wearing them and also offer no ballistic protection for arms, legs and neck.

Specialist knowledge of Polish scientists improves comfort of bullet proof armour:

According to Martin H. Struszczyk, Ph.D, director of the Institute Moratex, this application allows you to improve the flexibility of liquid materials and thus the eliminates these restrictions. It is a completely different approach to the design of ballistic, mainly body armour. Application of this liquid allows you to improve the flexibility of materials, and thus virtually eliminates all movement restrictions. This is a completely different approach to the design of ballistic shields, mainly bulletproof vests.

“In this case, fibers are not been incorporated, so far, but specially formulated liquid (dilatation fluid) that under impact instantly changes texture to become solid” stated Dr Struszczyk.

New technology can reduce weight, thereby improving user mobility.

Within the project new compacted liquids have been developed, characterized by markedly reduced density, which means that the weight of the protective device is lower. Scientists have tried to use the liquids in various forms, for example by applying to a fabric, to polyethylene composites and elastomer composites creating a so-called anti deflection pad. In the case the introduction of rheological fluid inside the elastomer composition produces a temporary decrease in the deformation of ballistic shields for the so-called non-penetrating firing “- added Dr Struszczyk.

This article concerns the unique properties and improved protective capacity of the new material.

As explained, in the case of fire, the flames always deflect away from the shield. Based on some standards the acceptable deflection is up to 4 cm, which eg. on impact of the projectile in the region of the heart, ballistic protection material is in direct contact with internal organs, threatening trauma and even death. Even without puncture of the ballistic shield death may still result.

With our liquid were trying to get the effect of maximum absorption of energy impact, so as to reduce temporary deformation of the casing. We were able to achieve this in 70 per cent of cases that are no longer than 4 inches of deflection. In this way, we were able to reduce the risk of damage to internal organs – added Dr. Morateksu.

By appropriately shaping the anti deflection pad, these scientists were able to introduce the element so-called thermal channel inside the vest, which has increased thermal comfort of users. This solution developed by leading Polish scientists can be applied wherever the material will have the task of maximum energy dissipation. It can be used, among others, in bulletproof vests, but also, for example in sportswear, impact guard products, the primers used in the construction of bridges or in bumpers mounted on trains.