When I saw the headline that a Toronto tailor was introducing bulletproof three-piece suits, I assumed that the story was that a Canadian was doing this kind of work, but I was surprised to find something more interesting — the suits aren’t made of Kevlar:
Garrison’s tailors have lined the vest and suit jacket with several ultrathin sheets of carbon nanotubes: a state-of-the-art puncture-proof and bullet-resistant material Mr. Tran sourced online through a company that has provided anti-ballistic gear for the U.S. Army Special Forces. (The manufacturer agreed to work with Garrison’s so long as it remains anonymous.)
Created by scientists through manipulating carbon atoms into tube-like shapes, carbon nanotubes can be woven into fibres or sheets like the ones used in the lining of Garrison’s suit, which were so strong the shop’s tailors had to cut them with a band saw. They provide a level of protection against bullets that is far superior to that of Kevlar, and are said to cause less bruising than other materials when hit by a bullet.
Carbon nanotubes are 50 per cent lighter than Kevlar and 30 times stronger than steel, which is why they are increasingly being used to make more streamlined protective gear for military and security professionals, not to mention politicians — U.S. President Barack Obama was rumoured to have worn an overcoat and suit incorporating carbon nanotubes during his first inauguration.