Richard: I should have phrased that better, I guess. Im only reporting what was mentioned on the telly, but my understanding was that their cyanoacrylate soaked into the wood, and added substantially to its strength - but they were using a fairly porous wood (balsa) so it may not make as much of a difference with another material. My knowledge of materials science is limited, but I could quite understand that its effect purely as a coating would be next to useless - although I suppose it might gum up a saw blade, if anyone still used them. Still, we were talking about a wooden backing to metal armour, so it might have had some value there (even if the glue was just used to laminate the steel and wood together).

As for carbon fibre, I quite agree (said from my authoritative position as a spectator :-) ). As with fibreglass, Id be wary of breathing in the area after someone had been attacking carbon fibre with a circular saw. Im sure kevlar would be better, if a good bit more pricey; hopefully the suggested thin layer of steel would be decent resistance against abrasion too - I guess a decently smooth surface is the best start. I was certainly thinking only in terms of reinforcing the wooden inner layer.

Interesting about the UV stability of kevlar, though. I learn something new every day. :-) (And now I know that if ever I want to shoot someone, I should do it in a tanning booth.)

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Fluppet