Ballistic protection with fibre composites

Fibre composites used as armour is in principle a web of extremely strong and tough fibres that can brake and stop a projectile. A correctly manufactured composite panel can absorb very high impact loads and can defeat heavy pistol rounds at an aerial density (kg/sqm.) which is lower than if the same level of protection had to be reached with a steel plate.

By high levels of protection the composite panel is normally combined with a strike surface based on either ceramics or ballistic steel (which is extremely hard). The purpose of the strike surface is to crush or blunt the projectile so that it can be more efficiently defeated by the backing composite panel.

The potential reduction of weight using composite armour is very dependant of the level of protection required and the type of fibre used. Often it is possible to reduce the weight of the armour down to about 1/3 of the weight required by steel.

A lower added weight can imply important advantages for a vehicle:
     • Higher loading capacity
     • Less tear, wear and maintenance costs
     • Better driving abilities and acceleration
     • Higher level of protection within the weight constraints of the vehicle

The same types of advantages are to a varying degree valid for ships and aeroplanes.

Scanfiber manufactures composite armour based on 3 different types of ballistic fibres:

     • Glass fibre (or Fibre Glass)
     • Aramide fibres (“Twaron” or “Kevlar”)
     • Polyethylene fibres (“Dyneema” or “Spectra”)

Scanguard G panels
	Scanguard G panels are based on Fibre Glass and is a cost efficient solution where weight is important but not critical. The main application is in buildings or in vehicles that can carry the weight. Scanguard G panels can be supplied cut according to customers specifications or in standard dimensions of 120 x 240 cm. Scanguard G panels are easy to modify using standard hand tools.

Scanguard A panels
	Scanguard A panels are based on Aramide fibres and is an excellent solution for most applications. Scanguard A panels can be supplied cut according to customers specifications or in standard dimensions of 120 x 240 cm. They can be modified using special hand tools.

Scanguard P panels
	Scanguard P panels are based on polyethylene fibres (“Dyneema”) and is an ultra light material used where only minimal added weight is allowed, for instance in aircrafts or fast boats. Scanguard P panels can be supplied cut according to customers specifications or in standard dimensions of 100 x 160 cm. Scanguard P panels requires special tools for modification.

Scantex A blankets
	Scantex A blankets are based on vowen Aramide fibres, which have a good ballistic performance even in an unprocessed condition. Scantex A blankets are normally supplied as a tailor cut kit of ballistic blankets designed to cover a specific area, for instance a vehicle floor. They can be modified using special hand tools.