Bulletproof vests, or more accurately termed, bullet-resistant vests, are designed to help absorb the impact and reduce or stop penetration from bullets or shrapnel. They’re mainly made from layers of a synthetic fiber called Kevlar, or sometimes, ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE).
In simple terms, think of the vest like a soccer net catching a ball. When a bullet strikes the vest, the force of this impact is dispersed over a larger area by the net-like structure of the Kevlar or UHMWPE fibers. This makes it much harder for the bullet to penetrate the vest. The vest’s multiple layers increase this effect, making the bullet slow down and, most times, stop before it can harm the person wearing it.
However, not all vests are the same. Different vests are rated to stop different types of bullets; some are effective against small caliber handguns, others against high-powered rifles. This is achieved by adding rigid plates made from ceramics or metals into the vest design. But remember, even when the vest stops a bullet, the wearer can still be hurt by the force of the impact, similar to a hard punch. That’s why it’s called bullet-resistant and not bulletproof!
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