Possibility to greatly evolve bulletproof vests and protective clothing as well as stopping bullets as well as breaking them into pieces

In addition to stopping the bullets fired at a terrible speed, the development of a material that is so strong that it can be crushed into pieces is under way. Heat resistance and radiation resistance are also included, and various uses such as bulletproof vests and protective clothing are being sought.

Ballistic performance of composite metal foams
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0263822315000434

This foam stops bullets cold and pulverizes them to dust | Fox News
http://www.foxnews.com/tech/2017/02/23/this-foam-stops-bullets-cold-and-pulverizes-them-to-dust.html

A research team led by Dr. Afsaneh Rabiei of North Carolina State University develops a new type of "Composite Metal Foams (CMF: composite foam metal)"Foamed metalSo it is possible to shatter bullets rather than stop bullets. You can see how to shatter bullets from the following movies.

NC State: Metal Foam Obliterates Bullets - YouTube


Using the developed composite foam metal for the middle layer, boron carbide ceramics boasting the hardness next to diamond on the landing surface, M2 armor ruler of 7.62 × 63 mm against the panel adopting ultra duralumin on the back It is released.


A pillar of armor lands on a panel. I thought that holes would be drilled ......


Without damaging the panels, bullets crumbled away.


The first time the research team developed CMF for the first time in 2015, it is written that the bullet was stopped even for thinness of 1 inch (2.54 cm) or less in the published paper. However, in order to actually use it for bulletproof vests and protective clothing, durability against non-bullet bullets such as heat resistance and radiation resistance becomes necessary.

A research team aiming to put into practical use research results showing that composite foam metal has sufficient resistance to X-rays and gamma rays, as well as neutron rays emitted during nuclear fission in July 2015Announcement. He developed "High-Z Steel-Steel Foam (High Z Metal Foamed Metal)" using a material synthesized with stainless steel and tungsten to increase the durability against radiation.


In the next year's March 28, 2016, a research report on experiments to expose 0.15 cm thick foam metal and stainless steel to 800 degrees heat for 30 minutesRelease. It was confirmed in the experiment that the foam metal ignited more than the stainless steel by 8 minutes and proved to have heat resistance as well.


The research team repeated these improvements and is looking for practical application of foam metal. Because foamed metal is lighter and durable than traditional metal, the Fox News in the US states that "Besides bulletproof vests, it can be used for purposes other than military such as space suit and work clothes."