do Kevlar helmets degrade and loose there protective value over time?

Question

if so why are they giving the iraqi security forces useless helmets, and does any one know if the germans kevlar helmet has the same ballistic protection as the americans? also does water or sun degrade the ballistic protection of kevlar?

Answer 1

The kevlar helmet does degrade but not for a long time.The military was still using, until recently the PASGT kevlar helmet.They still have helmets that were made back in the early 80's.I wore mine recently that I got back in the mid 90's.
The PASGT helmet protects against shrapnel, small caliber pistol ammo and some rifle rounds (from a distance or ricochets).
Water will degrade a kevlar helmet if it's left soaking in water for a long time.And I don't mean normal rainfall.
As with all newer models of helmets, they will have better ballistic protection.Such as the German kevlar,the US MICH and ACH kevlar helmets.Sometimes the improved ballistic protection is only few calibers difference.Instead of a 9mm it will protect you from a .44 caliber.But most will not stop a round from an old WWII Mauser!

Answer 2

Kevlar is a very strong fire-resistant fiber. It is spun in the same way that a spider web is spun. The fibers do not rust or corrode and it's strength is not affected by water. Unless specially bulletproofed, Kevlar's ability to stop bullets and other projectiles is degraded when wet. Kevlar, though strong, is flexible and the fibers will part slightly over time by normal wear causing kevlar to lose its original protective properties. It is recommended that kevlar goods which are "bullet proofed" while being manufactured be replaced at least every 5 years. There are different grades of kevlar used in many different applications. If the helmet you are talking about is a construction or emergency response helmet check with Kevlar for details and suggested longevity.

Answer 3

Kevlar helmets are like anything else; they wear out eventually.

But i don't think they should wear out within any reasonable amount of time. They should last for quite a while.

And yes, kevlar is degraded by UV radiation, such as that from the sun. That shouldn't be a problem with helmets, though - they're made of many, many layers of kevlar, which are glued together with epoxy (i think), and they're painted on the outside. In the worst case, only the very outside layer would be affected. The helmet itself would still work jsut fine.

Answer 4

kevlar is a pretty stable composite polymer
water > no degradation
sunlight > minimal & as good as nil, in life time of helmet
http://www.somac.co.uk/kevlar-properties.htm

the weave, bonding, processing & construction of the helmet may however have scope for improvement
but as far as the basic material - kevlar, i see none !

Answer 5

the vest do I know
maybe tighter weave in helmet
so i don't know

Answer 6

Giving giving giving giving.............Maybe they should buy their helments from the Chinese and then they could get what they wanted! Dam* Freeloaders!