Body Armor Test and Inside

Published on April 11, 2015
Duration: 9:18

This video tests an expired 1990s Kevlar body armor vest against five different calibers, including .22 LR, 9mm, .45 ACP, 7.62x25mm, and 7.62x38mmR. The vest's internal structure and material breakdown are examined after ballistic impacts, revealing how movement and time degrade its protective capabilities. The test highlights the importance of understanding armor expiration and material limitations.

Quick Summary

Body armor expires because its protective fibers, like Kevlar, degrade over time due to folding, movement, and wear. Manufacturers issue expiration dates because this breakdown significantly reduces the vest's ability to stop projectiles, making older armor less reliable for life-saving protection.

Chapters

  1. 00:07Armor Expiration and Testing Intro
  2. 00:26Cutting Open the Vest
  3. 00:51Vest Age and Warranty
  4. 01:31Why Body Armor Expires
  5. 02:32Inside the Vest Layers
  6. 03:09.22 LR Impact Analysis
  7. 03:419mm Impact Analysis
  8. 03:56Exhausting with .22 LR
  9. 06:057.62x25mm and .45 ACP Impacts
  10. 06:247.62x38mmR Nagant Impact
  11. 06:337.62x25mm Military Ammo Test
  12. 07:13Bullet Recovery Attempt
  13. 07:55Collection of .22 LR Rounds
  14. 08:30Vest Interior and Performance Summary
  15. 08:45Modern Armor Materials vs. Kevlar

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does body armor expire?

Body armor, particularly Kevlar vests, expires because the material degrades over time. Factors like folding, movement, and general wear break down the protective fibers, reducing their ability to stop projectiles. Manufacturers provide expiration dates to ensure users are aware of the armor's limited lifespan.

How does Kevlar body armor work?

Kevlar body armor functions by using numerous layered sheets of high-strength synthetic fiber. When a bullet strikes, the layers are designed to catch, stretch, and dissipate the projectile's energy across a wider area, preventing it from penetrating the wearer's body.

What calibers were tested against the expired body armor?

The expired Kevlar vest was tested against five different calibers: .22 LR, 9mm, .45 ACP (jacketed hollow-point), 7.62x25mm Tokarev, and 7.62x38mmR Nagant. The test aimed to show how degraded armor performs against various threats.

Can repeated impacts from smaller calibers like .22 LR damage body armor?

Yes, repeated impacts from smaller calibers can damage body armor. In the test, 25 rounds of .22 LR fired into the same area of the expired vest caused significant material breakdown, penetrating 8 out of 21 layers and demonstrating the potential for fatigue.

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