Doron plate is a strongfiberglass-basedlaminate, also known as a Glass reinforced plastic (GRP), that may have been first used by theUnited States Marines Corps as personalbody armor forinfantry in the mop-up operations in late June of 1945 AfterBattle Of Okinawa, in spite of some believing it was used in the battle itself.[1] The plates were approximately 3.2 mm (1⁄8 in) thick and cut into 130 mm (5 in) squares, then inserted into pockets on anylon vest that covered the front and back portions of the torso as well as the shoulders.[2] The vest weighed approximately 3.6 kg (8 lb). The plates consist of fiberglass filaments bonded together with resin under pressure. The plates could be molded to fit the contours of the chest or back.[3]
In May 1943, theDow Company discovered the technology for the doron plate, because a shortage of metal duringWorld War II had stimulated research into non-metallic forms of body armor.[4] The doron plate could not stop direct fire from rifle and machine gun bullets, but was effective at stopping debris, shrapnel, and up to.45 ACP FMJ pistol bullets.[4]
The plates were named after GeneralGeorges F. Doriot who was chief of the Research and Development Branch, Office of the Quartermaster General of the Army during World War II.[5] The doron plates were used in theKorean War in the M-1951 and T-52-2 vests, and in theVietnam War in the M-1955 vests. Stronger and lighter materials such asKevlar-based body armor eventually superseded the doron plate.
Doron, as a compressed GRP, requires high heat and heavy pressure to produce, the "woven roving" method is not as dense.[6]
