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Zylon

According to the new rules:
SAFETY
"In addition, the driver’s cockpit must now be clad in special anti-penetration panels made of Zylon. An additional five kilograms has been added to the car’s minimum weight requirement to offset the weight of the panels"
http://www.formula1.com/insight/rulesandregs/

ACCORDING TO WIKIPEDIA:
"Zylon also gained wide use in body armor during 1998 with its introduction by Second Chance Body Armor, Inc. But protective vests constructed with zylon became controversial in late 2003 when Oceanside, CA Police Officer Tony Zeppetella's and Forest Hills, PA Police Officer Ed Limbacher's vests failed, leaving Zeppetella mortally wounded and Limbacher seriously injured. Some studies subsequently reported that the Zylon vests may degrade rapidly, [1] leaving wearers with significantly less protection than expected. Second Chance eventually recalled all of its zylon-containing vests, which led to its subsequent bankruptcy. In early 2005, Armor Holdings, Inc. first [2] recalled its existing zylon-based products, and decreased the rated lifespan warrantee of new vests from 60 months to 30 months. August 2005 AHI decided to discontinue manufacturing all of its zylon-containing vests. This was largely based on the actions of the U.S. government's National Institute of Justice, which decertified zylon for use in its approved models of ballistic vests for law enforcement."

Who's got some technical insights into why this particular product was chosen for safety? Does it break down over time?

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