DSM in Life protection: Saving lives on the frontline
Our record-breaking Dyneema® material helps make the protective vests, helmets and vehicles that protect the world’s armed forces, law enforcement professionals – and citizens. We’re also protecting lives indirectly (through airbags for example).
There’s a different kind of arms race going on in the world today: The race to develop protective products that stand up to emerging threats and ultimately save the lives of human beings…while also giving the wearer maximum freedom, flexibility and comfort.
It’s why our customers are increasingly turning to Dyneema®, the world’s strongest fiber™. This remarkable material from DSM is 15 times stronger than steel yet weighs far less. It floats. It’s highly flexible. All of which makes it perfect for use in equipment for anyone on the frontline and in harm’s way.
Personal protection
People in the frontline need to be protected. But they also need to be able to do their job effectively. Dyneema® contributes to body armor that’s lighter and more flexible– with absolutely no compromise on the level of protection. It’s lighter and more protective
Body armor made with Dyneema® can be made lighter without compromising stopping power; and reducing the insert weight, then allows for protection in other critical body areas without exceeding the accepted weight allowance.
Our Dyneema® Soft Ballistic sheet material is used by armed forces and the police in ballistic vests to protect against handgun ammunition, fragments and knives. For more serious threats we’ve also developed a range of Hard Ballistic (HB) solutions used in helmets and vests that helps protect against rifles and high-speed fragments.
Lightweight helmets made with Dyneema® don’t just bring similar mobility and comfort to the wearer. They even allow for extra equipment to be added (communication, surveillance, etc), without getting too bulky.
Vehicle protection
We’ve entered a new era of vehicle protection in the military. Increasingly challenging and volatile environments call for agile teams with small logistical footprints, able to operate quickly, effectively - and safely.
Our Dyneema® HB material is used in vehicle panels for protection against heavier and more lethal threats like high-speed fragments (from improvised explosive devices, for example) as well as high-caliber rifle threats.
What it means for crews on the ground is lighter, more flexible armor that makes vehicles less prone to ‘roll overs’ – but which also provides maximum protection against various heavy-duty threats.
Civilian protection
Our contribution to life protection isn’t limited to ‘the professionals’.
Civilians worldwide - from VIPs to regular people – are using vests, vehicles and even airplanes with Dyneema® inside (Dyneema® is used in cockpit doors to reinforce them against intruders).
Meanwhile our Akulon® thermoplastic is a critical component of modern airbags – lighter, stronger than metal equivalents – providing improved protection with the added bonus of better fuel efficiency.
