Tensylon: a new material for polyethylene armour
Polyethylene materials are now used in the production of body armour, armour panels for vehicles.
British BAE Systems, Indian Anjani Technoplast are to establish a joint venture to manufacture light-weight armour made of Tensylon – a light and durable polyethylene-based material. The company will produce plastic armour panels for body armour, combat vehicles.
Both companies are very optimistic since successful Tensylon tests in Iraq, Afghanistan operations. In particular, polyethylene elements were used on American ground vehicles for mine protection.
Noteworthy is the increasing interest of the military to polyethylene as a unique material for light-weight and efficient armour. For instance, the USMC is searching for a contractor to manufacture plastic helmets. Several prototypes that have been tested, however, proved ineffective in protecting a soldier neither from bullets nor from blunt blows.
Helmets are particularly a challenge because concave polyethylene elements are less effective than plastic plates. Meanwhile, plastic panels were approved and are currently widely employed in the manufacturing of police body armour in the USA and Europe.
Source: DefPro
