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."

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.

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?

Re:I'll trust it ...

[daivzhavue]

well, if he is standing 20 years in front of you, I'm sure weapon advancements would nullify any protection it gives today.

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.

Tupperware?

[DrivingBear]

It is a higher grade of the plastic found in Tupperware.

The vest will also keep you fresh for weeks.

Re:The Future of Tupperware Parties

[hal2814]

"especially in hot/wet conditions"

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

Re:to bad our troops are treated like shit

[phaggood]

> The question then will be whether troops will still be in Iraq at that time.

And the correct answer to this query is:

wait for it...

Yes.

Kitchen now most important room in stockpiled home

[cosinezero]

Tin foil hat... check! Tupperware shirt... check! Zip-lock underwear... check!

At last I understand

[NearlyHeadless]

It is a higher grade of the plastic found in Tupperware.

That could explain why Ice-T was heard saying [tv.com], "Go buy Tupperware now, it's O.G., it's real 'hood."

Instead of a vest...

[DrivingBear]

Why don't they just make the bullets softer?

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:Back to the drawing board.

[R3d M3rcury]

So, it's a "life vest" then? [ilovewavs.com]

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

Re:impervious to water, how about body heat?

[Shinmizu]

I hear Endor's a pretty easy assignment.

Thanks For The Advice: +1, John McCain

[Anonymous Coward]

I'll get some polyethyl the next time I demonstrate the peace [latimes.com] in Baghdad.

Yours Alzheimersly,
Senator John McCain [therealmccain.com],
former POW, former teenager, former child, and currently a Military Expert

Re:Back to the drawing board.

[mooingyak]

Those who would sacrifice mobility for safety deserve neither.

Re:impervious to water, how about body heat?

[TrekkieGod]

I hear Endor's a pretty easy assignment.

You'd think so, wouldn't you? Well, let me tell you, I'm an independent contractor in a project the Empire has going on over there and even though the money is good and we get lots of benefits (it's a government contract after all), I fear for my life. Heck, a friend of mine refused to take the job because of the risk, but I'm just trying to scrape a living, I have no personal politics.

Re:Back to the drawing board.

[Hoi Polloi]

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

Re:Not bad... but...

[Walt Dismal]

No wonder rappers wear big gold medals on their chests...

Re: Sig

[Fifty Points]

My user id is square: 118^2

118^2 = 13,924
square root(999,106) = 999.5529

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.

[specific_pacific]

"In the event of an emergency, my body can be used as a flotation device."

-- Data

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.

Polystyrene Bulletproof Vests Better Than Caviar

[G3ckoG33k]

Which is how my tired morning eyes read that headline.