The PE bulletproof insert plate is manufactured by bonding unidirectional ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fibers onto a high-density polyethylene sheet.
Polyethylene (PE) is a new type of thermoplastic material. The PE bulletproof insert plate is manufactured by bonding unidirectional ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fibers onto a high-density polyethylene sheet. The sheet is cut into shape, placed in a mold, and compressed at high temperature and pressure to produce a rigid adhesive armor plate. Polyethylene utilizes the friction caused by the rotation of a bullet to melt the polyethylene, thus "sticking" the bullet. After the rotation stops, heat is no longer generated, and the polyethylene cools and re-hardens.
The mass of a polyethylene PE insert plate is generally around 1 to 1.5 kg, much lighter than steel insert plates and ceramic bulletproof insert plates. However, due to current limitations in material technology, the highest protection level that pure PE insert plates can achieve is NIJ Level III, which cannot defend against rifle armor-piercing bullets and larger caliber bullets, and the cost of polyethylene PE is high.