The truth about transparent Aluminium
Kevin Henson ( khenson@isource.net )
Sun, 07 Feb 1999 16:00:10 -0600
Al is not a metal, it is a metaloid, just like silicon, (remember the
stairstep), the transparent Al they are using for face shields on new
4th
generation helmets is an Al-Si-O latic compound, ti is nonmaggetic and
nonconducting. A layer 3.5 mm thick provides level II balistic
protection
i.e. 38 special low - mid velocity 9mm ans such. It is currently bing
developed as a flip down riot shield for the standard k-pot balistic
helmet
and provides close to the same protection as the 11 mm kevlar laminate
that makes up the body of the helmet, but at the current time its very
expensive.