Military body armor consists of layers of fabrics woven from Kevlar (DuPont) or Twaron (Teijin Aramid) with pockets for multistrike ceramic or metal plates. The layered fabric is highly effective against pistol calibers and the plates provide ballistic protection for the higher energy rifle rounds. On impact, the layered fabric  absorbs the projectiles kinetic energy and spreads it out over a large area; eventually stopping the round. The degree to which the fibers in the fabric remain intact determines how effective the soft armor will be.

Researchers are now looking to carbon nanotubes, which can be woven into Kevlar or Twaron to deliver the next generation of ballistic protection. Carbon nanotubes exhibit exceptional elasticity and a superb resistance to strain.

Apparently, these atomic level structures are so strong that when woven into a polymer ballistic tile are capable of deforming or fragmenting a projectile on impact. If further development and experimentation proves this claim out, carbon nanotubes could be just what the doctor ordered to make body armour more effective and substantially lighter.

Additional details are available from The Center for Knowledge Management of Nanoscience and Technology  at Secunderabad, India.