POLYUREA BALLISTIC PROTECTION
Military Grade Spray Elastomer Technology
for Impact-Resistant Composite Materials
for Impact-Resistant Composite Materials
ALL-PURPOSE BALLISTIC PROTECTION
From bulletproof vests to vehicle armor, soldiers, policemen, and other types of security personnel use many different forms of ballistic protection to shield themselves from the dangers of high-velocity projectiles. In recent years, advanced composite materials have become an exciting area of research, offering new and improved solutions for more robust ballistic protection. This involves combining or incorporating two or more different materials into a single composition, amplifying their benefits and unlocking new impact-resistant properties. One material that’s been increasingly thrown into the mix is polyurea, one of the coatings industry’s most prolific high-performance protective coatings. Spray on polyurea formulations can work in conjunction with numerous other materials systems, creating a fully encompassing composite material for state-of-the-art ballistic protection.
ARMORTHANE’S
POLYUREA BALLISTIC PROTECTION SYSTEM
Our contributions to ballistic protection are accomplished by applying our advanced impact-resistant polyurea formulations to existing ballistic components. By applying multiple layers of polyurea up to a thickness greater than one inch, ballistic armor and structures can see significant reductions in damage caused by blast shrapnel and small-caliber firearms. Polyurea’s strong blast mitigation and impact reduction are thanks to its unique chemical structure, affording it with a powerful combination of strength and flexibility. However, not all polyureas are the same, and so neither are their protective coatings. With a dedicated research and development team working tirelessly to develop the next generation of high-performance polyurea, you can rest assured that ArmorThane’s polyurea products are on the forefront of innovation and provide maximum ballistic protection.
BALLISTIC PROTECTION TESTING
ArmorThane’s ballistic testing is supported by cutting-edge camera technology that gives us a window into exactly how projectiles behave at the point of contact with different structures. Using advanced high-speed cameras with frame rates of up to 1,100,000 FPS and innovative CMOS image sensors, we can perform in-depth analyses for extensive and insightful ballistic testing. Let’s take a look at the results of some of our recent experiments:
BARE CONCRETE BRICKS VS. POLYUREA COATED STRUCTURES
These tests first compared bare concrete bricks and these same bricks coated in 1/8th inch of our ArmorLiner polyurea formulation. Two of the most common handgun rounds, 9 mm and a .38 special, were discharged directly at the two targets from a fixed distance and at close range. Between the firearm and the concrete bricks was placed a gel block, which was used to simulate a human target and better visualize the bullet’s trajectory and post-impact behavior.
The results? Well, you’ll have to see it to believe it, but the structure coated in polyurea was not only unpenetrated, but the bullet actually reversed its course to reenter the gel, before then exiting for the final time and falling onto the floor. To up the ante, successive tests removed the gel blocks positioned before the structures, which did see the bullet penetrate the coatings, but it still failed to penetrate the concrete blocks. Perhaps even more interestingly, the high-speed footage revealed that the polyurea coatings eliminate nearly all shrapnel, and prevented any concrete chips from dislodging to become a projectile in their own right.
Building on our growing expertise in ballistic materials, we’ve also developed a high-strength composite ballistic material by combining polymer composites with STF (shear-thickening fluid) structures. Polyurea’s energy absorption capabilities are well-established on concrete, steel, and numerous other substrates, but their application on fabrics is still a burgeoning area of investigation. To this end, we’ve conducted high-velocity impact tests under NIJ 0101.06 Class IIIA standards, which showed that our polyurea/Kevlar composites with integrated STF structures were lighter and thinner than traditional laminates, while still maintaining the same ballistic properties.
VIEW YOUR
POLYUREA BALLISTIC PROTECTION
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FAQ FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
There are many different materials that can be used for ballistic protection, and the choice depends on the unique requirements of different applications. For a highly versatile solution capable of coating almost any substrate, or making entirely new ballistic materials, polyurea offers the best combination of strength, durability, flexibility, and compatibility.
There’s no need to make the choice between Kevlar and polyurea; the two materials can be used simultaneously to produce a distinct composite material with new and improved impact-resistant properties. They’re the perfect complementary materials systems for advanced ballistic protection, and continue to find new ways to combine and conform for superior durability.
Polyurea ballistic coatings offer enhanced protection compared to any ballistic material in isolation; it’s used to coat ballistic elements with an additional layer of compatible impact-resistant material. Their cost will depend on the size and thickness of the application, but are priceless in the role of protecting security personnel of every kind.
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TAKE COVER WITH ARMORTHANE
If you’re ready to enjoy safer, cleaner driveways that you can’t take your eyes off of, partnering with ArmorThane can make all the difference. We’re global coatings experts with over 35 years leading the industry, and have a singular mission to become the world’s one-stop shop for everything polyurea and polyurethane. Concrete surfaces like driveways are our bread and butter, and we offer several specialty formulations designed specifically to protect concrete driveways. They’re safer, more cost-effective, and more importantly of all – they’re the highest-performing in the industry. And if this doesn’t scratch your itch for polyurea, we also offer comprehensive startup packages to help you start your own coatings business With only a small initial investment and no franchise fees or other profit-stealing practices, we’ll provide all of the tools, materials, and training needed to succeed in the coatings industry, So, whether you want to upgrade your driveway or begin a new chapter as the CEO of your own company, contact us today!
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ArmorThane has built a strong reputation over the past 30 years for producing high-quality, durable protective coatings.
Phone Number
Tel: 417.831.5090
Email Us
moreinfo@armorthane.com
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
TYLER GLECKLER
I am a chemist with a specialization in nanotechnology and applied materials chemistry. My work has focused on the characterization of optoelectronic materials, namely including semiconductor nanocrystals.
