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AR15.COM
9/3/2005 1:05:55 PM EDT
Is there a life span for kevlar / spectra shield vests?   Lookin at a vest from point blank, but it is not recent manufacture.    Which fiber was is that was failing in the vests?

Thanks
Cosmos
9/3/2005 1:34:05 PM EDT
[#1]
There's a huge volume of info. on tacticalforums.com about premature degradation of vests containing Zylon and concerns about Spectra as well. Short version, Zylon real bad, Spectra bad, Kevlar good.
5 years is the standard warranty period for Kevlar vests and most PD's replace it on that cycle. Having said that, I've shot a few 10, 15, and 20 year old Kevlar vests that retained their rated ballistic capabilities.
9/3/2005 1:36:58 PM EDT
[#2]

Quoted:
5 years is the standard warranty period for Kevlar vests and most PD's replace it on that cycle. Having said that, I've shot a few 10, 15, and 20 year old Kevlar vests that retained their rated ballistic capabilities.


Conspiracy to keep the $$$ rolling in?
9/3/2005 1:52:53 PM EDT
[#3]
Could be, but after 5 years of daily wear they've definitely gotten pretty funky even after rotating clean carriers regularly!
9/3/2005 7:41:07 PM EDT
[#4]
The one I am looking has not been worn more than a few times, but has a manufacture date of 95.