I've been wondering this for a while, but how does the NCR manufacture their armor, and what materials are used in it's construction? The NCR's economy seems largely backed by expansion and the brahmin industry, with a decent manufacturing industry as represented by the Gun Runners, likely using salvage rather than extraction for resources like steel. So that makes me wonder the question then, since the NCR's trooper (and patrol ranger) armors are clearly produced by the Republic, what textiles do they use to produce these? Additionally, are the armoring over the fatigues steel woven into a carrier, or maybe some kind of layered leather? What do you think?
Somehow I hadn't considred steel degradation, though I suppose it makes sense. I assumed salvage would be a good pathway since a lot of the work extracting it from the Earth is done for you, but I am absolutely in love with the idea of the NCR bringing old mines back into operation, I must admit.