PE fiber VS Kevlar fiber: Which is the best craftable bulletproof material?
In today’s world, the importance of safety and protection has become increasingly prominent, and the development of bulletproof materials has entered a new stage. Among many high-performance materials, PE fiber and Kevlar fiber are undoubtedly the best. These two materials have their own characteristics and are increasingly widely used in the field of bulletproof. So, which one is the best craftable bulletproof material? This article will make an in-depth comparison of these two materials from multiple angles to reveal the truth about the best craftable bulletproof material.
1.The development history of bulletproof materials
(1) Early metal bulletproof materials
Early bulletproof materials mainly relied on metals, such as steel and aluminum. Metal bulletproof materials have the characteristics of high hardness and high strength, and can effectively resist the impact of bullets. However, metal bulletproof materials also have obvious disadvantages, such as heavy weight and poor comfort. With the development of science and technology, metal bulletproof materials are gradually replaced by new materials.
(2) The rise of polymer materials
In the mid-20th century, polymer materials began to emerge. Kevlar is one of the representatives. It is a high-strength, low-density aromatic polyamide fiber. The emergence of Kevlar has greatly changed the pattern of bulletproof materials. Its excellent mechanical properties and lightweight characteristics make it the preferred material for protective equipment such as bulletproof vests and bulletproof helmets. Since then, new polymer materials such as polyethylene fiber and ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fiber (UHMWPE) have also been developed, further enriching the choice of bulletproof materials.
(3) Comparison of the application of PE fiber and aramid
Among many bulletproof materials, PE fiber (ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fiber) and Kevlar fiber (aromatic polyamide fiber) are the two most common bulletproof materials. These two materials have been widely used in bulletproof vests, bulletproof helmets and other protective equipment due to their excellent mechanical properties and high energy absorption capacity. So which one is the best craftable bulletproof material for making PE fiber and Kevlar fiber? The following will conduct a comprehensive analysis and comparison.
2.Kevlar fiber: a representative of tradition and stability
Kevlar fiber, scientifically known as aramid fiber, is a new type of high-tech synthetic fiber. Since its introduction in the 1960s, it has been widely used in bulletproof protective equipment, construction, and electronic equipment. The main features of Kevlar fiber are as follows:
(1) Excellent high temperature resistance:
Kevlar fiber can maintain a stable structure and protective performance in high temperature environments, and can still work normally even at a high temperature of 200°C. This makes it very suitable for use in high temperature environments, such as the Middle East and other regions with high temperatures all year round.
(2) Fire retardant:
Kevlar fiber has excellent fire retardant properties. When exposed to high temperatures, it will carbonize to form an insulation layer, effectively blocking heat transfer.
(3) Wave absorption:
Special Kevlar fiber has wave absorption and can absorb part of the pressure of the explosion shock wave, thereby improving the protective effect.
However, Kevlar fiber also has some obvious disadvantages:
(1) Not resistant to ultraviolet rays:
Kevlar fiber is sensitive to ultraviolet rays and is prone to photolysis when exposed to sunlight for a long time, resulting in performance degradation. Although there are black Kevlar fibers with UV resistance, their service life is still short.
(2) Easy to hydrolyze:
Kevlar fibers easily absorb moisture and undergo hydrolysis, and will gradually degrade even in a dry environment. This limits its service life and scope of application.
(3) High cost:
The price of Kevlar fibers is about 30% to 50% higher than that of PE fibers, which makes the cost of Kevlar fiber bulletproof equipment high and is not conducive to large-scale equipment.
3.PE fiber: a perfect combination of light weight and high protective performance
PE fiber, also known as ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fiber (UHMW-PE), is a high-performance organic fiber developed in the early 1980s. This material has the following significant characteristics, making it the first choice for bulletproof materials:
(1) Super strong protective performance:
PE fiber has excellent bulletproof performance, especially in terms of defending against low-speed bullets, its protective ability is about 30% higher than that of aramid; in terms of defending against high-speed bullets, its performance is 1.5 to 2 times that of aramid. This makes PE fiber perform well in various combat environments and can effectively protect the wearer from bullets.
(2) Lightweight:
Bulletproof vests made of PE fiber are lighter. For example, PE fiber bulletproof vests with equivalent bulletproof grade are about 1.45 to 1.85 kg lighter than Kevlar fiber bulletproof vests. This not only reduces the burden on the wearer, but also improves mobility, which is especially important for soldiers and police who need to wear bulletproof equipment for a long time.
(3) Good stability:
PE fiber has excellent resistance to low temperature, UV light and water. This means that it can still maintain a stable structure and protective performance in extreme environments and will not degrade rapidly due to environmental changes.
(4) Long life:
Because PE fiber is not easily affected by moisture and aging, it has a long service life and can provide long-term and stable protection for the wearer.
(5) Low cost:
Compared with Kevlar fiber, PE fiber has a lower cost, which makes PE fiber bulletproof equipment more competitive in price and more suitable for large-scale equipment.
However, PE fiber also has some disadvantages:
(1) Poor high temperature resistance:
PE fiber has poor high temperature resistance and the operating temperature must be controlled within 80℃. Once this temperature is exceeded, its performance will drop rapidly and it will melt when the temperature reaches above 150℃. This limits its application in high temperature environments.
(2) Poor creep resistance:
PE fiber is prone to deformation when subjected to continuous pressure and is not suitable for making complex-shaped equipment that needs to withstand pressure for a long time, such as helmets.
4.Comprehensive comparison of PE fiber and Kevlar fiber: competition for the best craftable bulletproof material
(1) Bulletproof performance
In terms of low-speed bullet resistance, PE fiber’s bulletproof performance is about 30% higher than Kevlar fiber; in terms of high-speed bullet resistance, PE fiber’s performance is 1.5 to 2 times that of Kevlar fiber.
Kevlar fiber is better than PE in deformation (smaller back concavity of BFD), but PE fiber has higher toughness, resulting in larger back concavity.
Although Kevlar fiber’s protective performance is slightly inferior, its high temperature resistance and fire retardant properties make it advantageous in certain environments.
(2) Environmental adaptability:
PE fiber has excellent low temperature resistance, UV resistance and water resistance, and is suitable for use in various extreme environments.
Kevlar fiber is not UV-resistant and is easily hydrolyzed, which limits its use in outdoor and humid environments.
(3) Service life:
PE fiber has a long service life and is not easily affected by moisture or aging.
Kevlar fiber has a short service life and needs to be replaced regularly.
(4) Cost:
PE fiber has a low cost and is suitable for large-scale equipment.
Kevlar fiber has a high cost and is not conducive to large-scale equipment.
(5) Weight and comfort
PE fiber bulletproof equipment is usually light, which makes it easier for people to engage in various activities after wearing it.
Although Kevlar fiber has high strength, it is relatively heavy, which may affect the comfort of the wearer.
(6) Application field
PE fiber is widely used in the field of individual bulletproof, such as bulletproof vests and bulletproof helmets.
Kevlar fiber is widely used in the protection of military equipment such as tanks and armored vehicles, as well as protective films for optical fibers.
5.Choice of the best craftable bulletproof material
In summary, PE fiber and Kevlar fiber each have their own advantages and disadvantages. The choice of which material to use as the best craftable bulletproof material needs to be determined based on the specific use environment and needs.
If the use environment is mainly at room temperature or low temperature, and bulletproof equipment needs to be worn for a long time, then PE fiber is a better choice. The characteristics of PE fiber, light weight, high protection performance, stability and long life can meet these needs, and at the same time, the cost is low, which is suitable for large-scale equipment.
If the use environment is mainly high temperature, such as the Middle East and other perennial high temperature areas, then Kevlar fiber is a better choice. Kevlar fiber has excellent high temperature resistance and fire retardant properties, and can maintain a stable structure and protective performance in these environments.
6.Summary
In summary, PE fiber and Kevlar fiber each have their own advantages and disadvantages. The choice of which material to use as the best craftable bulletproof material depends on the specific application scenario and environmental requirements. In personal protective equipment that requires lightweight and high ballistic performance, PE fiber may be a better choice; while in military equipment that requires high temperature resistance and high-strength protection, Kevlar fiber may be more popular.
