A product engineered as a spray-on truck bed liner is saving lives in Iraq and Afghanistan.;
Less than a month ago, Army Spc. Anthony Dowden was shot in the back with a sniper rifle. But he survived with nothing more serious than bruises, thanks to a new high-tech “small-arms protective insert” armored plate in his ballistic vest.
I had Line-X sprayed on a grooming table over a bathtub about 10 years ago – it’s an amazingly tough, flexible, durable coating. It would be a natural fit for protective armour.
(Unique Collision is the Line-X dealer in Saskatoon).
Nice theory but I would say the 20-30 sheets of Kevlar in his vest had much more to do with saving this guys life than the Line X spray coating.
I’ve never done an actual test, mind you – but I’ve been around enough scrap line-x material to think that a sheet 1/4″ thick would nicely stop most bullets.
Having been in the body armour manufacturing business I would disagree.
“SAPI plates are designed to stop a 7.62 mm round, which is standard AK-47 rifle ammunition, a DoD spokesman said. As of February 2004, all soldiers and Marines in Iraq and Afghanistan have the plates.” (Quoted from the story)
A website selling them says they do not have to be used with Kevlar vests. Kevlar is a great product(invented by a woman, but it does not appear to be the life saving article in this instance.
Very interesting finding, but bad idea to print it for public consumption. The enemy can buy this as readily as you and I, and they can counter it. Of course, if you don’t think we’re in a war?
No! No! No!
You have it all wrong!
It was invented by Islam in the 9th century and stolen by the Romans!
Die Infidel!
ulululululululululululu!
I will now have to research what the coating covered-(probably a tungsten or ceramic composite). It is a great report, and there are lots of COTS (commercial off the shelf) products that do fine work for our people in harms way. Thanks for sharing!
I think the Line-X is there for comfort/ease of handling – and possibly to prevent spalling/splinters… I suspect that’s a metal plate, or at least ceramic (from the look of it, it’s steel?)