Paint production and oil piping are two examples of industrial processes that may necessitate using ballistic blankets. Additionally, workers and civilians can use a ballistic blanket if they discover a suspicious package. There are nine ballistic blanket types, most of which are in category III-A. These are bulletproof, stopping multiple—44 magnum bullets and many others. Ballistic blankets can block rifle fire, but they aren’t completely effective without the addition of internal armor. Note that additional armor greatly increases the price, size, and weight (2-4x) of the ballistic blanket; since this is the case, the blanket has very little give. Therefore, the only people who typically employ ballistic blankets are the police.
While working for DuPont in 1964, Stephanie Kwolek discovered Kevlar, the most common material in ballistic blankets. The discovery was made by chance as they were looking for materials that could be used as lightweight yet long-lasting tires since they anticipated a gasoline scarcity. The solution looks like a hazy slope while it’s in liquid form. However, unlike nylon, the fibers do not break when put through a spinneret. When the material is unwound from the spool, powerful hydrogen bonds form between the individual strands.
Manufacturers use hydrogen-bonding Kevlar for ballistic blankets designed to thwart pistol fire. When working with Kevlar, combining and fusing several layers is common. Like the surface of a pool when a rock is dropped into it, the material ripples when a bullet hits it. Soft armor won’t cut when a blanket needs to be shielded from a rifle’s bullets. Manufacturers also add ceramic plates or some other rigid material to Kevlar to make ballistic blankets. After the ballistic materials are produced and assembled, manufacturers add an exterior cover pocket from a robust, military-grade Cordura cloth and a watertight seal.
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