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Post by tsmspace on Nov 8, 2019 6:35:45 GMT
I know that people use solder sometimes to strengthen butted mail,, but I don't want to try to heat each ring, I don't really have the capacity to heat like that, and solder like that. However, I MIGHT be able to use some kind of JB Weld epoxy, or other recommended epoxy, to (non-historically) strengthen up my rings.
does anyone have any input on the idea?? has anyone heard of this idea?? How would it hold up to impact?? perhaps the better choice is NOT an artificial weld, because a more rubbery epoxy will take impacts better. (assuming I plan to test the maille with various weapons,, I am also considering finding someone who could shoot it with some 9mm to see what happens,,,, I know there are youtube videos, but they aren't using the same metal I am, which I think is harder, so I still am curious.)
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Post by MOK on Nov 8, 2019 9:48:55 GMT
They would not hold up to impact at all, I'm afraid. Neither material is designed for this kind of use, and even if they were the surface area involved is so tiny the join would still be mostly cosmetic. Solder is probably better, but still pretty iffy in comparison to proper rivets.
The first thing I'd do would be using as many solid rings as your pattern of choice allows. Then either rivet or actually weld the open rings... but sourcing rings with proper holes for riveting is problematic, unless you're willing to learn to make them yourself, and welding of course takes special equipment and skills.
No matter what you do, though, I don't think mail will stand up to modern 9mm bullets; with proper backing and a bit of luck properly made heavy mail could stop lead balls from black powder weapons at some distance depending on the weapon, but modern firearms pack a whole lot more penetrative power. Harder metal isn't necessarily better for this, either, because it will tend to break where softer metal would merely bend and be able to absorb that much more energy.
PS. Actually, thinking further, with modern spring tempered steel wire you might be able to make mail that could stop handgun rounds, at least at a distance, if you used thick enough wire... not that's it's a good idea, though. Modern ballistic fibers are both more resistant and more convenient.
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christain
Member
It's the steel on the inside that counts.
Posts: 2,835
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Post by christain on Nov 8, 2019 12:45:25 GMT
What MOK said. Mail alone, riveted or not, is not going to stop a 9mm round. Trying to use some type of epoxy would just be a huge waste of time AND epoxy. Mail was made to primarily take slashing cuts, and even the best is still weak to a direct thrust like a very pointed weapon or a bodkin-tipped arrow.
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Post by Adventurer'sBlade on Nov 8, 2019 13:07:32 GMT
I once had a ballistic vest that was rated for both handguns and stab/spike. The panels were kevlar on the outer side and a layer of modern chain maille on the body side.
Even if the chain links were strong enough to withstand a bullet, the comparatively soft bullet would fragment/splash right through the gaps in the links.
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Post by unistat76 on Nov 9, 2019 0:29:07 GMT
JB weld is hard, but brittle. In my experience with the stuff, it does not like impacts at all.
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