At Eurosatory 2012, which will be held in Paris from 11-15 June, DSM Dyneema will be showcasing its recent developments in ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) technology as well as the latest innovations of customers’ life protection applications made with Dyneema.
DSM’s ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fiber, tape, and unidirectional material (UD), licensed under the Dyneema brand, combine extremely low weight with outstanding strength to provide improved protection for law enforcement, security and military personnel. Because of this unique combination of properties, Dyneema is often specified in customer applications for the protection of personnel around the world.
Visitors to Hall 6, booth number D 391 will be able to see a range of products made with Dyneema by several of DSM Dyneema’s customers. These products are used in numerous vehicles and personal protection applications worldwide, and help meet the growing demand for increased protection as conditions and threats are evolving and becoming more severe.
Amongst the innovative development concepts at the show will be a number of customer concepts and a processing example. These include a combined solution used for external vehicle armor, to protect against road side bombs, IEDs, EFPs, kinetic energy and fragments, as well as a vehicle panel made with Dyneema BT10 tape liners.
Customers’ solutions made with DSM’s material include:
- Vehicle spall liners
Rheinmetall Verseidag Ballistic Protection GmbH has selected Dyneema BT10 tape for the production of spall liners for a large international vehicle program. The Dyneema based liner was selected because it offered a 40% weight reduction, compared to an earlier spall liner design, without lowering the protection level.
Onno ´t Hart, Managing Director Rheinmetall Verseidag Ballistic Protection GmbH states: "Our products help to protect the crews of civilian and military vehicles, aircraft and ships from ballistic threats and IEDs. Rheinmetall Verseidag’s new product range VERHA-Land is made of various materials tested for their suitability for military use. For this specific application we selected Dyneema BT10, as the material perfectly meets the customer’s wish for less additional weight without compromising levels of protection."
- External vehicle armor solution
GEKE Schutztechnik GmbH has developed an external vehicle armor solution to protect against a combination of modern threats and eliminating the use of heavy ceramics. This is a groundbreaking concept that can withstand multiple impacts. This innovative concept contains Dyneema HB26 and protects against road side bombs, IEDs, EFP, kinetic energy on the level of STANAG 4569 level IV, artillery fragments, and 20mm FSP at 1500 m/s.
- Customized ballistic protection solution for aircraft applications
The DSM Dyneema booth also includes a solution engineered by TenCate Advanced Armour for aircraft applications with a panel containing Dyneema HB26. It was developed by TenCate’s Aerospace division, which is specialized in providing integrated armor solutions at the absolute lowest weight for both police, and military aircrafts.
- Dyneema BT10 pressed panel
From a production perspective, Dyneema BT10 is easy to handle. This offers an added advantage of time and cost reductions for body armor manufacturers in material lay-up and cutting. The DSM Dyneema booth features a cut, shaped and drilled BT10 pressed panel, demonstrating the ease, safety and sustainability of the processing.
According to Dirk Louwers, marketing manager EMEA at DSM Dyneema, DSM’s UHWMPE is a crucial ingredient in all these designs: "One of the greatest challenges for the industry is to deliver maximum protection while keeping additional weight to a minimum. Creating solutions with Dyneema saves weight and costs in our customers’ products, while achieving the multi-impact properties that meet all required standards."