Sawali tapped as possible body armor material

MANILA, Philippines — Department of Science and Technology (DOST) – funded research and development is pursuing the possibilities of using “sawali” or woven bamboo mats as material in making body armor or bulletproof vests.

The DOST-Forest Products Research and Development (FPRDI) has found that the woven bamboo mats, paired with a stainless steel plate, can be used for the production of a bullet-resistant vest for pistol shots, and can save the lives of military and police personnel.

The vest was light enough for use in combat and 700 percent cheaper than most imported body armor.

The promising R&D is being done at the Philippine Army R&D Center. 

Romulo Aggangan, FPRDI director, said the study is being funded and supported by the DOST in support of the Department of National Defense (DND)’s Self-Reliant Defense Posture (SRDP) program, which seeks to help the country become self-sufficient in its basic military needs by producing its own weapons such as small arms, ammunition and tactical communications equipment.

The DOST-DND partnership started in January 2018 when the departments signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that set a framework for scientific and technical cooperation to achieve SRDP. 

Under the DND-DOST partnership, FPRDI has committed to develop explosives and propellants using local materials such as abaca, gum and resin from native forest tree species. 

“After research and development, we will be piloting promising production processes to see if they are technically and financially viable as well as environmentally and socially acceptable,” Aggangan said.