How do bulletproof vests work? - Max G. Levy

Explore the chemistry behind what makes kevlar so strong, and how this essential synthetic fiber was invented.

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By 1975, Richard Davis had been shot at close range 192 times. But not only was he completely healthy, each of those bullets were part of a demonstration to sell his new product: the bulletproof vest. So, how does such a light, flexible piece of clothing stop a bullet? The secret was a synthetic fiber material invented a decade earlier. Max G. Levy explores the incredible strength of kevlar.

Lesson by Max G. Levy, directed by Vitalii Nebelskyi, and action creative agency.

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[Mindwalker]

Very important note: Kevlar is a brandname owned by DuPont. The actual material is Aramid.

[MarcusVance]

While not rated for blades, kevlar vests are pretty darn resistant to blades.

[reihanasabrina]

“My tires were bulletproof, but unfortunately the rest of my car was not”

[te]

As someone who worked in private security before, i can attest that sometimes a Level III bulletproof vest is often a lifesaver. Not just to protect one self but guarantee that'll be home on the next day and so forth. Sure the weight can be cumbersome but after awile, you'll get use to it and yes, you eill sweat in them. I knew some cops who do wear them in some of my old post who come would say the same thing as it'll be uncomfortably weird in not having them on.

[DreadPirateRobertz]

I used to make bulletproof vests rated for 7.62 rounds. It starts with a ceramic plate, then hundreds of layers of super plastic are compressed by being superheated in a kiln around the plate. When it comes out you spread this extremely caustic epoxy around the edges of the finished product to protect it from environmental hazards. THEN the plate is stitched into a Kevlar vest. The whole thing with a front and back plate weighs about 15 lbs. We were also considering making helmets that could withstand pointblank 7.62 fmj's but ultimately decided that it was pointless as the force of impact would likely break the wearer's neck anyway. It was a good job but government contracts were unreliable, we'd spend entire weeks just sweeping floors during periods of stagnation. It was nice knowing that I helped craft a product that saved a few lives though.

[Maus-ncjo]

As a chemist this video made me very happy!!🤗

[KateDexter]

I thought it was simple, but now I see that it’s fascinating 😆

[redwinedrummer]

Kevlar is also used as snare drumheads in modern marching drumcorps due to the very high tensions required. They produce a crisp and articulate sound.

[overtimechaos]

As a keen chemistry student, this is the only TedEd video that i understand at an advanced level 😂

[JadeTheOnly]

This was very educational. I never knew the material was so complex!

[BlueSmoke]

Another interesting bit of history is that bullet proof vests existed before this point. I believe Jan Szczepanik and Casimir Zelgen worked together to invent one in 1897 primarily using silk, which had worked noticably well in protecting from the blackpowder guns of that time. There are anecdotal stories of people surviving gunshots due to silk handkerchiefs in their pockets!
I don't know why silk worked so well, hopefully someday I can do a little digging and find out.

[marcusbaker]

Hey Guys! Great day to learn something new!

[thituannhanguyen]

As someone who is a retired police officer I have wore tons and tons bullet proof vest I sometimes got shot but it wasn’t that big when hearing that this guy made the vest I started thanking him for my life for days


P.S i got shot for like 10 times and 8 of them come from facing mass shooters I still feel the pain today but at least I am not dead

[randomgirl]

Pretty cool to learn that a female chemist was the one who invented the polymer to allow for bullet proof gear and vehicles, air craft, etc. to be invented

[COD-lt]

Really good and diverse subjects to learn about through these informative and attention seeking videos.

[shatter]

I feel like the person who was tasked to animate Stephanie Kwolek never once looked at a picture of her

[Petch]

I feel like the caricature of Stephanie Kwolek (1:00) underestimated her big brain and overestimates her body size a little 😂

[antonykuo]

1:57. She didn’t make kevlar. She made aramid. The fabric is called aramid while kevlar is the brand name that made the first aramid

[markmunroe-hzrf]

Bullet vest sings: hit me with your best, yeah hit me with your best shot!
Fire away!

[zodiacfml]

nice tidbit at the end about speakers. I'm no audiophile but I'm skeptical of kevlar on speakers...I guess not anymore.