Thread: Kevlar

Hi all,

Just wondering if anyone knows of a kevlar supplier / manufacturer? I'm chasing 3mm plating - I'd like to use it as a shoe insert as extra protection again puncture coming though the sole of some boots. I realise it's not Maint / Repair / etc, but figured this would be the best stop for the info...



Cheers

Shannon

Something like this?

Kevlar Style 779 Correctional Fabric

Normal kevlar won't protect against punctures from sharp objects. The vests they use in correctional work has other stuff mixed in.

If I'm not mistaken, I do believe you can stab through a kevlar vest. Or maybe just some of them?

CARBON FIBER - GRAPHITE - KEVLAR
CARBON FIBER - GRAPHITE - KEVLAR

The 779 I listed above is the material used in CO's vests specifically for stab/slash resistance. At least that is what the website claims.....

plain kevlar "flack jacket" can be stabed right through but you would have better luck with pre preg CF and make your mold foot plate and then vacbag and heat to cure

Originally Posted by holli4pirating

If I'm not mistaken, I do believe you can stab through a kevlar vest. Or maybe just some of them?

Kevlar vests can be stabbed right through. What's stopping the bullets is the mesh of kevlar fibres that have a very high tensile strength. Bullets are blunt and the webbing will decellerate them. Knives are sharp, will cut the individual strands, and go through. Flak jackets can have optional pouches for plates, which might shatter from a bullet but which will stop a knife.

Btw, you will notice that bullet proof vests can be advertized as stab / slash resistant. They'll slow down the knife, and resist against a slash. But they will not (guaranteed) prevent them from coming trough.

I don't mean to be rude but what exactly do you do that requires this protection on the sole?

On a side note, cyclists used to do something similar. At one point cycling (bicycle) shoes used to come with a metal insert to help keep the sole stiff to help prevent your foot from going numb while using cleats. Now days they use carbon fiber with stiff rubber. At one point before this technology cyclists used to remove the shoe insert and cut a piece of metal to match the shape. Thin metal but stiff. They would round the edges to prevent cuts and insert the metal in the shoe.

One thing to consider is if your project is successful there is a good chance you will lose some flexibility in the sole. Meaning your movements will feel more like a stomping motion rather than a nice bend in the normal foot (walking) motion. If you would like an idea how it feels, go to your local bicycle shop and try on some of the road shoes with carbon fiber soles. Also, for some reason I thought motorcycle boots had metal inserts for similar reasons?

If it is for protecting, than metal inserts will be much better. Or perhaps ceramic plates.
Kevlar will not protect you against penetration of sharp objects.
I know my company shoes (the shoes I have to wear if I need to be in the plant utility area) have steel plates in the sole. There is still an amount of flex (they're overlapping plates).