Tinkering idea - ballistic/armor plate

[Gunslingerdoc]

With all the tinkerer's/innovators/plain brilliant inventors we have here has anyone played with making their own armor plates? I was machining a small block of UHMWP for a jig I buddy wanted and I got to thinking isnt this the stuff they make some light weight SAPI plates out of? Yes, it is! Has anyone played around with making their own plates out of this stuff or done any actual shot testing? Im thinking of ordering some smaller stock thickness and trying it since all I have is 2-3" think stock.

Your thoughts?

 

[sniperdoc]

While many substances are available that would make serviceable armor plates, that's only one component of body armor. The bullet's kinetic energy must be dissipated before reaching the body. Otherwise, while the plate may stop penetration, the energy can cause broken bones and possibly fatal internal injuries. It's like being in a car crash; the other vehicle doesn't hit you, but your body still has to (ideally) survive the impact.

 

[sniperdoc]

OTOH, I bet you could crank out some interesting Gong Targets!

 

[X-Ray Zulu]

Cheaper, Better, Faster... All Ears !

 

[sniperdoc]

There's a surprising amount of info on Google outlining the good, &bad, aspects of UHMWPE as Body Armor material. A couple of hours' research time should give you an enormous amount of insight to help you.

 

[Gunslingerdoc]

UHMWPE in block form is a waste of time. The plates sold as armor are compressed/glued fibers. I tried a 1.5inch thick block vs 9mm blazer out of a glock G-34 and it went right thru....so no cutting board armor for this kid.

 

[ohen cepel]

Saw an interesting vid of a guy using a large ceramic tile with the plastic (melted in a thick layer) from several milk jugs on top/behind it. Did a pretty impressive job, however, the tile went to pieces quickly.

For the cost of steel armor plates I don't see me experimenting on my own in this field.

Side note; all kinds of neat stuff you can make from melted milk jugs.

 

[sniperdoc]

Ceramic body armor commonly cracks/breaka/shatters when shot; this is how it dissipates kinetic energy.
Thus, it's most suitable for Law Enforcement, where a new plate (or vest) is provided from the Department instead of your wallet.

However, there are no body armors (AFAIK) that are rated for multiple hits.