design input for mk IV Chest Plate

[Precision]

The son and I have been discussing what to do for our next iteration of the Bullet "Proof" chest plate. Our current model stops 7.62 x 54 steel core but is 2 5/8" thick. So now we are trying to make a thinner version that will have the same stopping power.

One very obvious way is to use better steel so we can go thinner and have the same stopping power. We had two layers of 1/8" mild steel. Our thought is one layer of AR 400 or AR 500 would have half the weight but more than double the stopping power. We are NOT finding thin AR steel.

Another issue is the backer / containment for the tiles is duct tape. That has distinct limitations and is heavy for strength. I am thinking that buying some wire mesh or fiberglass mesh and super gluing / gorilla gluing the tile pieces would provide a stronger base but I don't know how well the super glue will hold.

Any ideas on where to find 10x12 plates of AR 300 -400 -500 steel in less than 1/4" thickness?

Any ideas or suggestions on improving the matrix to hold the tiles in place?

[Aglifter]

Poster on the Enos forum selling extra pieces of AR500, cut into basic shapes.

[Aglifter]

But it is in 3/8" thicknesses...

[blackeagle603]

What about molding/encapsulating the layers? Can anyone think of a pourable potting/molding compound that wouldn't cost an arm and a leg? Sure you could just set it fiberglass resin but that might be a bit brittle. A pit pliability would seem an advantage in this case. Maybe even turkey bag it and pull a vacuum on it.

[Yogimus]

(This is not a joke) Chocolate has excellent energy dispersion properties when solidified.

[McClarkus]

I use cornstarch when doing stir fry. I mix a table spoon with a dab of water and it just has the strangest consistancy. Its like it just sits there until you try to stir it and then it gets real stiff almost in a hydraulic sort of way. I know it won't work for your vest but maybe someday they'll figger out something useable.

[Yogimus]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zoTKXXNQIU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5SGiwS5 ... re=related
Non newtonian fluid

[Thomas]

I use cornstarch when doing stir fry. I mix a table spoon with a dab of water and it just has the strangest consistancy. Its like it just sits there until you try to stir it and then it gets real stiff almost in a hydraulic sort of way. I know it won't work for your vest but maybe someday they'll figger out something useable.

http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2012/04/ ... on-impact/

They already have......

[blackeagle603]

Non newtonian fluid

oh snap. good thought. Interesting possibilities. "Big Hunk Armor!"

[Precision]

my understanding is that non newtonian fluids react too slowly to be an effective bullet stopper.