Russian defense engineers have developed the strongest supermolecular polyethylene, which is planned to be used for the production of bulletproof bulletproof vests. Plates made of such material are able to stop a fragment flying at a speed of up to 670 meters per second, and also withstand the hit of automatic bullets.
It is noted that the first ultralight composite materials have already been obtained from the new polyethylene and the first bulletproof vests have already been made on the basis of the new technology. During their production, the winding method was used for the first time. The new material is called "Supernit", it will be used in personal armor protection equipment, which will replace the "Warrior" set.
At the same time, the Russian material turned out to be lighter and stronger than analogues like Israeli UD or American organoplastics based on kevlar, the newspaper of the Russian Defense Ministry "Krasnaya Zvezda"notes. So, the Israeli UD detains fragments flying at speeds not exceeding 630 m/s, and the American aramid organoplasty - 480 m/s.
Another distinctive feature of the Russian polyethylene composite armor is the ability to stop bullets of automatic calibers. In foreign samples, polyethylene armor materials and superhard ceramic plates are combined to perform this task.
The developers specify that the armor plates made of polyethylene due to their light weight float in water. Therefore, bulletproof vests made of the new material will be issued to the crews of warships and marines.
Ivan Petrov
