Thread: Super armor?

I am currently in the process of designing a lightweight, bulletproof suit of armor and want to see what material combinations and plating configurations my fellow science aficionados could recommend given these materials: titanium, tungsten, gold, carbon, and boron. The material can be comprised of ANY combination of these so long as you keep in mind that I am looking for the STRONGEST and most lightweight combo.

I like Spectra Shield myself.

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...6hnhZZyYv75DAg

Originally Posted by Gamma-J's

titanium, tungsten, gold, carbon, and boron. The material can be comprised of ANY combination of these

For what particular reason have you decided that these materials, only these materials and all of these materials should be used?

want to see what material combinations and plating configurations my fellow science aficionados could recommend

Hmm, "fellow science aficionados".
Your background/ expertise being...?
What calibre/ velocity of bullet are you expecting this suit to be "proof" against?

He chose the strongest materials he could find given a single description of strength. But the thing is, "strength" is a relative term. Diamonds are strong, right?
Also brittle. So their strength is in a particular area- such as grinding. But their strength is not applicable as a hammer.

want to see what material combinations and plating configurations my fellow science aficionados could recommend

Hmm, "fellow science aficionados".
Your background/ expertise being...?
[/QUOTE]What calibre/ velocity of bullet are you expecting this suit to be "proof" against?[/QUOTE]

I have no "expertise" per say, I'm more of a Jack of all Trades; though I do have more experience in chemistry.
For your second question I reply with: I am looking for a material that can resist from 22LR to 460 magnum and anything or ALMOST anything in between.

You're going to have to be a little more specific.
"Almost anything in between"?
5.56 NATO? 7.62 NATO?
Any military rounds?

And again:
For what particular reason have you decided that these materials, only these materials and all of these materials should be used?

Originally Posted by Dywyddyr

You're going to have to be a little more specific."Almost anything in between"?5.56 NATO? 7.62 NATO?Any military rounds?And again:For what particular reason have you decided that these materials, only these materials and all of these materials should be used?

My appologies for not being entirely clear with you all earlier but, I am looking for a lightweight bulletproof ALLOY not mixture- of any two of these materials ( and yes, I do realize that the term alloy is usually asociated with metals) and as for the type of rounds: I also did not mention that the one thing my knowledge does not particularly cover is ammunition types, however as long as this alloy would be able to withstand ANYTHING from at least 1 hit from a 50 cal. Round or weaker ( in the case of ANYTHING weaker than 50 cal. It should be able to resist at least the average amount for a standard kevlar vest) it will suffice. If this does not make answering my question any easier then P.M me at my NON-formal e-mail address: afronynja460@hotmail.com; and, finally- a little more clarification: this material needs to have enough give to absorb some of the shock from impact and it needs to be durable enough to take a some damage before its sheilding begins to fail. Thank you

Originally Posted by Gamma-J's

My appologies for not being entirely clear with you all earlier but, I am looking for a lightweight bulletproof ALLOY not mixture- of any two of these materials ( and yes, I do realize that the term alloy is usually asociated with metals)

Um, okay.
I'll rephrase: For what particular reason have you decided that these materials, only these materials and all of these materials should be used?

however as long as this alloy would be able to withstand ANYTHING from at least 1 hit from a 50 cal. Round or weaker

And you're looking for a wearable suit to stop 50 cal?
Are we talking ball, AP or SLAP rounds?

this material needs to have enough give to absorb some of the shock from impact

Oh good.
How much allowable deflection is there?

and it needs to be durable enough to take a some damage before its sheilding begins to fail.

By "shielding" I assume you mean the material itself and not some other "shield"?
How much "damage"?
How many hits by, say, a 50 cal are you hoping for it stand up to before failure?

Originally Posted by Dywyddyr

By "shielding" I assume you mean the materail itself and not some other "shield"?

Wow... Dywyddyr... what happened?!

Originally Posted by Dywyddyr

Originally Posted by Gamma-J's

My appologies for not being entirely clear with you all earlier but, I am looking for a lightweight bulletproof ALLOY not mixture- of any two of these materials ( and yes, I do realize that the term alloy is usually asociated with metals)

Um, okay.I'll rephrase: For what particular reason have you decided that these materials, only these materials and all of these materials should be used?

I have chosen these materials (save boron- that was an error on my part) for their properties (i.e: titanium for its high- strength to weight ratio, its low overall conductivity, and its status as a refractory metal. Gold for its maleabilty and tungsten for its refractory status and its status as the metal with the highest tensile strength of all, and its maleability in its pure form. Carbon is no longer a part of this subject; it has found its purpose in my project.

however as long as this alloy would be able to withstand ANYTHING from at least 1 hit from a 50 cal. Round or weaker

And you're looking for a wearable suit to stop 50 cal?Are we talking ball, AP or SLAP rounds?

we are talking ball and ap.

this material needs to have enough give to absorb some of the shock from impact

Oh good.How much allowable deflection is there?

I would be able to deal with about 10 percent (if you need it in psi just say so; if not then you obviously get it)

and it needs to be durable enough to take a some damage before its sheilding begins to fail.

By "shielding" I assume you mean the material itself and not some other "shield"?How much "damage"?How many hits by, say, a 50 cal are you hoping for it stand up to before failure?

About ten or depending on the wearer enough to alert you that you need to find cover- in other words, an ABSOLUTE minimum of 10. And yes, I was speaking about the material itself.

Originally Posted by Gamma-J's

Originally Posted by Dywyddyr

Oh good.How much allowable deflection is there?

I would be able to deal with about 10 percent (if you need it in psi just say so; if not then you obviously get it)

Since you clearly have no idea what you're talking about what makes you think your endeavour is going to result in anything useful?

Originally Posted by Dywyddyr

Originally Posted by Gamma-J's

Originally Posted by Dywyddyr

Oh good.How much allowable deflection is there?

I would be able to deal with about 10 percent (if you need it in psi just say so; if not then you obviously get it)

Since you clearly have no idea what you're talking about what makes you think your endeavour is going to result in anything useful?

I want one ASAP, don't discourage the man. Like I said in another topic I don't think even an Ironman suit could be built that would stop 50 cal bullets, at least not the armor piercing rounds. Even if they could be stopped, the bruises might hurt so much you would wish to be dead.

Someone's been watching the Iron Man movies on FX.

Considering the US military, and all other militaries of the world spend a metric butt-ton of money each year on R&D for armor....I don't think an alloy exists that could do what you want....at least with current material technology. We still use steel for armor...and lots of it. Any plate capable of stopping any rifle round would be WAY to heavy to wear effectively.

Originally Posted by MacGyver1968

Someone's been watching the Iron Man movies on FX. Considering the US military, and all other militaries of the world spend a metric butt-ton of money each year on R&D for armor....I don't think an alloy exists that could do what you want....at least with current material technology. We still use steel for armor...and lots of it. Any plate capable of stopping any rifle round would be WAY to heavy to wear effectively.

To: EVERYONE- I realize that even if I found the alloy I'm looking for it would most likely fail which is why this armor isn't just the alloy i.e; there would be another layer that would be comprised of tightly interwoven kevlar and carbon fibers with dragon skin over that and finally the "alloy" on top as the first line of protection. Yes I realize that it would be quite hot and would not allow much range of motion which is why; to remedy that I decided that instead of a vest in the traditional sense it would be separate sheets of the fabric that would be attatched to metal "frames" as to allow more range of motion.

And as for dywyddyr: I base ALMOST everything I do on this philosophy: the wisest man is not he who knows much, but he who always wishes to know more; the smartest man is not he who is able to think more efficiently than others but he who is wise enough to realize his failures and mistakes, learn from them, and use his knowledge for the betterment of himself and his fellow man. In other words: do not show your wisdom or intelligence by doubting or naysaying someone, instead show these traits by teaching them what they need to know to succeed. ( especially in my case because if I succeed I plan on crediting everyone who helped or encouraged my endevour, well... Succeed

Originally Posted by Gamma-J's

the wisest man is not he who knows much, but he who always wishes to know more

Um, false.
By your definition a complete ignoramus who wants to learn everything would the "wisest man".

the smartest man is not he who is able to think more efficiently than others but he who is wise enough to realize his failures and mistakes, learn from them, and use his knowledge for the betterment of himself and his fellow man

Fellow man? Why?

In other words: do not show your wisdom or intelligence by doubting or naysaying someone instead show these traits by teaching them what they need to know to succeed.

Right, you're totally ignrant on materials engineering and you want me to teach you.
You've embarked on this "project" knowing nothing about the basics, and you expect? hope? to learn what I spent years in college and the subsequent 30 years learning in a series of internet posts.
Tell me, what basic terminal ballistic books do you own? Which have you read? Do you know why I specifically state terminal ballistics?
Does the term Milne De Marre mean anything to you?
What do areal density and sectional density mean to you?
Or were you just planning on hand waving - if you need it in psi just say so - your way through; hoping that dropping in some vaguely technical terminology would either convince me that you had a clue or, alternatively, make it all work out by magic?

Originally Posted by Gamma-J's

instead show these traits by teaching them what they need to know to succeed. ( especially in my case because if I succeed I plan on crediting everyone who helped or encouraged my endevour, well... Succeed

You may find him a grouch- But look at the post above mine. He is helping you. If you don't know those terms, you will need to look them up. You will know a little bit more after that.

One might also say, "A wise man knows his limitations."
If your knowledge is limited, you should recognize it and overcome it.