Stratman50th wrote:
Greetings all, I haven't introduced myself yet because I haven't joined the ranks of the class A pusher crowd. May 9th we sign the papers. I just want to jump in real quick on the Kevlar vs Fiberglass issue. Kevlar was developed by Dupont in the 60's for the construction of ballistic resistant body armor. Stronger and lighter than steel it was the first practical lightweight fiber that could be used in making comfortable body armor. It is a synthetic fiber and comes in sheets just like fiberglass. It is the same texture for the most part as fiberglass. Strength and weight is it's claim to fame. Used in construction, it is applied the same as fiberglass. Placed into a form or mold and embedded into a resin. The waves or ripples or smoothness is all a function of how good the worker is at laying the materials into the mold. A lot of it is automated now. The advantage of Kevlar over fiberglass is purely in it's strength. It most certainly is NOT because it's cheaper as was stated before. Normally the structure is coated with a "Gel-coat" to make the surface smooth and shiny. The gel-coat is strictly for cosmetics and not structure. I have been a boat guy for many years and have seen good and bad glass jobs. I have also worn Kevlar vests for many years and can testify they will stop a knife from penetrating. I hope you all don't mind me jumping in but I figured it might be at least a little enlightening.
Don
I thank you Don for getting in here and setting some of these plow jockys straight!
