#Yarn & Fiber
DSM showcases latest innovations for protective ballistic sollutions made with Dyneema® at Milipol 2019
Dyneema®, the world’s strongest fiber™, is used in various form factors, including UD (unidirectional) sheets and fabrics, to help protect the men and women responsible for keeping communities around the world safe. The strength and versatility of Dyneema® make it ideal for a variety of applications which enable high-performing solutions for personal and vehicle applications.
Threats tomorrow won’t look like the threats we see today, which is why DSM is dedicated to continually growing an integrated product portfolio – offering a range of usage applications that provide protection from legacy and emerging threats in soft armor vests, hard armor plates, helmets, and knits.
“We are committed to bringing new innovations to the market with materials that improve existing armor systems and provide protection for the whole person,” says Marcelo van de Kamp, Global Business Director, Personal Protection, DSM. “In addition to expanding our product portfolio, we are also focused on increasing production capacity to meet the growing needs of law enforcement and armed services personnel.”
Increased production capacity is now available in Greenville, North Carolina with the addition of next-generation UD technology targeting high end performance in advanced hard armor systems. In parallel, in Q3 2019, DSM announced the expansion of its manufacturing capabilities with a new UD line in Heerlen, the Netherlands. The increased production capacity at both locations will help serve the ballistic needs of DSM’s armor manufacturing partners across the globe.
During Milipol, DSM will showcase Frag Knits made with Dyneema®. Designed for IED threat profile garments, Frag Knits with Dyneema® are comfortable, compressible and ultra-light weight for protection against micro and meso-mass fragments.
“Frag Knits with Dyneema® offer unmatched fragment protective performance and comfort,” says van de Kamp. “The smooth, flexible and air permeable textiles serve the comfort needs of the wearer while supporting the natural body climate in both activity and rest. The high strength, light weight, and durable textile structures are also stable against environmental influences and allow full mobility without sacrificing protection.”
Soft and hard armor applications utilizing Dyneema® Force Multiplier Technology will also be on display at Milipol. This industry-leading material platform delivers breakthrough polymer science, next-generation fiber technology and unique unidirectional engineering, and has been rapidly adopted in armor applications since its initial launch in 2013. The platform continues to be expanded with new products due to its unmatched ballistic performance at reduced weights, and is ideal for ballistic vests, plates and helmets.
In helmets, reduced weights provide many intangible benefits to the wearer, such as increased situational awareness and decision-making abilities resulting from lowered levels of wearer fatigue. Ballistic helmets made with Dyneema® offer protection against a wide range of threats, including handgun ammunition and fast-moving fragments, such as FSPs, and RCCs, while providing the lightest weight options with maximum flexibility and comfort.
To learn more about the latest innovations and business growth of DSM in military, law enforcement and first responder applications, visit the Dyneema® booth at 5 P 110 during Milipol November 19-22 in Paris, France.
