SUPERSTRONG, LIGHTWEIGHT DYNEEMA UNIDIRECTIONAL SHEET MATERIAL FROM DSM INTO THE NEW INSERTS
12 June 2006 - DSM Coating Resins

To provide its soldiers with a higher level of protection, the UK Ministry of Defence is incorporating superstrong, lightweight Dyneema unidirectional sheet material from DSM into the new inserts for the new Osprey body armor. Until now, it has been difficult to balance the need for higher protection with light weight needed by soldiers for optimal agility and speed in combat. Advances in weapons and ammunition, which pose new threats to soldiers, have increased the challenge facing the military services. However, Dyneema High Performance Polyethylene makes it possible to raise the effectiveness of personal protection for troops at the lowest possible weight.

According to Roger Medwell, chief executive of NP Aerospace, the current supplier of the Osprey inserts, “Dyneema was selected as part of our solution for the Osprey project because of the material’s ballistic performance at low weight, its consistent quality and security of supply.” By using Dyneema UD, which combines exceptional strength with very low weight, as the backing material for the ceramic insert, designers add significant protection with minimal additional weight. The Dyneema UD backing not only increases the vest’s resistance to ballistic impact, but also helps protect the wearer against wounds in the event the ceramic shatters. Dyneema UD is already being used extensively in the United States as the backing material in SAPI and Enhanced - Small Arms Protective Inserts.

“The Osprey project demonstrates that, in addition to its proven use elsewhere, Dyneema products successfully contribute to a lightweight protection system for British soldiers as well,” said Adri van der Waals, Marketing Manager Personal Protection for DSM Dyneema.

http://www.dsm.com/en_US/html/dcr/home.htm

More News:
  • For June 2006
  • From DSM Coating Resins
  • For Powder Coatings