Effects of Carbon Nanotubes on the Ballistic Application of Spider Silk
School Name
Chapin High School
Grade Level
11th Grade
Presentation Topic
Physics
Presentation Type
Non-Mentored
Written Paper Award
2nd Place
Abstract
A large problem in our modern time is the lack of advancement in body armor for personal protection. Since the 1970’s all soft armor has used kevlar or a substance that is chemically similar. Kevlar vest that are used by police, FBI, and the Secret Service are inflexible, heavy, and do little to reduce the impact of a bullet. This project answers the question of whether or not it is possible for Carbon Nanotube infused Spider Silk to stop a .44 magnum round with lighter weight, more flexibility, and better energy dispersion than currently out on the market. Through extensive research and the aid of experts in the field of materials engineering, spiders, and a few researchers, i was able to solve it out on paper whether or not the material could stop the round. While i can not test the actual fiber, due to natural silk being so hard to produce and synthetic silk not yet produced, mathematically the fiber excels on paper being much stronger, at 5.4 GPA vs kevlars 3 GPA, and more flexible, at 30% compared to 10%, than competitors. This project provides information on, and concludes, that mechanically it is possible to use Carbon Nanotube Infused Silk to stop a .44 Magnum round. This will pave the way for current body armor to improve and change.
Recommended Citation
Dixon, Parker, "Effects of Carbon Nanotubes on the Ballistic Application of Spider Silk" (2017). South Carolina Junior Academy of Science. 176.
https://scholarexchange.furman.edu/scjas/2017/all/176
Location
Wall 307
Start Date
3-25-2017 10:45 AM
Presentation Format
Oral and Written
Group Project
No
Effects of Carbon Nanotubes on the Ballistic Application of Spider Silk
Wall 307
A large problem in our modern time is the lack of advancement in body armor for personal protection. Since the 1970’s all soft armor has used kevlar or a substance that is chemically similar. Kevlar vest that are used by police, FBI, and the Secret Service are inflexible, heavy, and do little to reduce the impact of a bullet. This project answers the question of whether or not it is possible for Carbon Nanotube infused Spider Silk to stop a .44 magnum round with lighter weight, more flexibility, and better energy dispersion than currently out on the market. Through extensive research and the aid of experts in the field of materials engineering, spiders, and a few researchers, i was able to solve it out on paper whether or not the material could stop the round. While i can not test the actual fiber, due to natural silk being so hard to produce and synthetic silk not yet produced, mathematically the fiber excels on paper being much stronger, at 5.4 GPA vs kevlars 3 GPA, and more flexible, at 30% compared to 10%, than competitors. This project provides information on, and concludes, that mechanically it is possible to use Carbon Nanotube Infused Silk to stop a .44 Magnum round. This will pave the way for current body armor to improve and change.
