Science Daily September 16, 2019
The bulk of the material created by researchers at SUNY, Buffalo, is ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene, or UHMWPE, which is used to make products like artificial hips and guitar picks. Their design is based on the mother of pearl, which mollusks create by arranging a form of calcium carbonate into a structure that resembles interlocking bricks. Like mother of pearl, the researchers designed the material to have an extremely tough outer shell with a more flexible inner backing that is capable of deforming and absorbing projectiles. The material is stiff, strong, tough and has high thermal conductivity. In contrast to steel or ceramic armor, UHMWPE is easier to cast or mold into complex shapes. The ability to rapidly dissipate heat and impact resistance helps it to absorb the energy of bullets and other projectiles. The material could be used for impact-resistant human-protection applications such as vests, helmets, body armor as well as protective armor for ships, helicopters and other vehicles…read more. TECHNICAL ARTICLE
Abstract. Credit: ACS Appl. Polym. Mater.2019182197-2203 6