New BC's at DEMA?

[Virus]FSLR2[]

Kevlar is strong - True
Kevlar is the main stopping device in Bullet Proof Vests. Both True and False
Kevlar is indestructable - False
Kevlar can not be cut - False

Kevlar is what is used as a strength member in Fiber Optic Cabling. We cut it all the time with scissors and pocket knives. Not just special scissors, but your plain-jane desk scissors and I've even cut it with a very dull knife.

Kevlar is strong, there's no questioning that, but it's strength is in it's linear direction. Kevlar is made from long strand like fibers, like thread, but thinner than a single strand of hair. In the end-to end direction, the strands are very strong. Even stronger when you bundle thousands of these strands and make a web belt or fabric from them. The fabric used in body armor has several layers in it, and it is pretty thick. It also has ballistic panels inside to assist in absorbing and displacing the energy from a strike across a wider area.

We use something called MuleTape, which is a very small strap of woven kevlar, about 1/2 (1" woven and folded onto itself) wide and maybe 3mm thick and it has a tensile strength of 1250lbs/568kg. This same material, when made into a 3/4" wide ribbon has a tensile strength of 6000lbs/272kg, Very strong indeed, but you can cut this stuff with broken glass, rusty metal, or even wear through it rubbing on a cement corner.

I'm trying to find a use for it on dive gear, and I can't think of any. It resists impact, and is very strong when pulled on, and I guess it "could" resisist tearing more than nylon, but there are other materials like Spectra Fiber, TWARON, and Gold Shield that are either as light or lighter and just as strong, plus some of those are not impacted by being wet and UV Rays like Kevlar is.


Just my $.02

-=V+-

 

[Scubaroo]

Patrick at OxyCheq is very approachable, and will answer any questions you have about the existing wing's material and the new Kevlar-based wings - simply email him at sales@oxycheq.com

Drysuit manufacturers have been using a Kevlar-based material for high abrasion areas like kneepads for several years.

 

[deepdiverbc]

I e-mailed Patrick twice already and never got a reply.

July 15th e-mail
1. What type/grade of nylon is it made from and is it coated?

2. If it is has an option to be used without an STA what plate are you selling with it? I don't think that Koplin has an STA'less plate. It would be nice if they offered one.

5. Do you have any distributors in Canada? I live in Vancouver B.C..

6. How much are you charging for a wing that has a capacity close to 45 lbs? Please give price and capacity.

7. What is your warranty?


August 21st e-mail

I am interested in purchasing a single #45 wing, light STA with harness and would like the oportunity to see your product. Do you have any suppliers for Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada? If not then please supply a list of your suppliers closest to Vancouver such as Victoria, B.C., Alberta or Washington state.

Is there any chance of you doing a demo in the Pacific Northwest area?

 

[jplacson]

Virus]FSLR2[ once bubbled...
Kevlar is strong - True
Kevlar is the main stopping device in Bullet Proof Vests. Both True and False
Kevlar is indestructable - False
Kevlar can not be cut - False

Kevlar is what is used as a strength member in Fiber Optic Cabling. We cut it all the time with scissors and pocket knives. Not just special scissors, but your plain-jane desk scissors and I've even cut it with a very dull knife.

-=V+-

Virus, I understand Kevlar can be cut (how else would they shape it for vests)

But how easily is it slashed? The principle behind the Kevlar lumberjack chaps, is that the fibers can resist being shredded by a chainsaw. The chaps aren't indestructible...they do get a bit torn, but the chainsaw doesn't get through... the fibers then jam the main saw gear.

Anyway, I think the main benefit of a Kevlar shell is more top-side than in the water... most BC damage comes from neglect, or other things falling onto your BC while on the surface. Tanks, weights, sharp objects that are left lying around, or accidentally dropped on a BC can all cause punctures.

Or, if a shark attacks you from the rear and decided to bite your BC! :lol:

 

[VTernovski]

Patrick is great to deal with (on the phone and in person), but I also noticed he is a bit slow on email. When I spoke to him, he mentioned that gets a lot of junk email (dont; we all?) and it takes him a while to sort through to get back to everybody. I cuold understand that, I think the response to his new products might have been overwhelming, and his Booth was always bust at the DEMA. I only had a chance to say hello, but didn;t have to to actually talk to him as he was doing business with other pepople and I didn;t have much time to ask him anything figured i can always catch him later on the phone when I need something.

 

[VTernovski]

Pardon spelling.. I emant his booth was always busy, not bust... duh!

 

[Swordfish]

I also sent him a private message one-and-half months ago inquiring about the Oxycheq #30. I wanted to know if he ships to Manila and some specifics about the package on his Web site but really never got a reply. Well, I guess will just have to get a Halcyon which is available here. =B(

 

[deepdiverbc]

I didn't have luck with e-mail so I called Patrick and he was very helpfull. I wanted to make this comment since I had posted about problems with e-mail.

 

[Swordfish]

Oops, let me correct that, it wasn't Patrick whom I emailed, it was COVCI/Chris. And I never got a reply.