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Body Armor Facts

How it works

Body armor made with DuPont™ Kevlar® brand fiber works by “catching” a bullet in a multilayer web of woven fabrics. Just as different Kevlar® fabrics are tailored to specific threats, different layers in the weave have different tasks—from engaging a fast-moving, undeformed projectile to completely stopping the blunted bullet.

The engaged fibers absorb and disperse the energy of the impact, transferring it to other fibers at “crossover points” in the weave. These fibers continue to absorb energy, reducing the force that causes “blunt trauma.”

These woven fabrics are strong enough to resist a bullet, yet more comfortable than traditional plastic-based shield products. Fabrics made from light-denier yarns offer enhanced protection and comfort features. The highest-performing, lightest-weight vests are made with light-denier Kevlar®. Whatever protective vest technology you're looking for, vests with Kevlar® can meet your performance, comfort and cost requirements.

Body Armor Facts

  • The Department of Justice estimates that 25% of state and local police are not issued body armor.
  • Of the approximately 1,200 officers killed in the line of duty since 1980, more than 30% could have been saved by body armor.
  • It has been estimated that the risk of dying from gunfire is fourteen times higher for an officer not wearing a bulletproof vest.

Source: House Report 107-193 – James Guelff and Chris McCurley Body Armor Act of 2001