9 Oct 2014
DSM DYNEEMA TO DISPLAY MILITARY CONCEPT VEST FOR WOMEN, FOCUS ON POSSIBILITIES FOR LEADING-EDGE ARMOR TECHNOLOGY AT AUSA 2014
Industry-leading Dyneema® Force Multiplier Technology sets new standard for weight reduction, comfort & extreme ballistic protection
Stanley, N.C., Oct. 9, 2014 - Bringing to life the extreme performance characteristics that make Dyneema® Force Multiplier Technology (FMT) the ideal solution for modern armor designs, DSM Dyneema will display a concept vest envisioned for women at the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) Annual Meeting & Exposition, Oct. 13-15, 2014, in Washington, D.C. (Booth #961).
Leading armor manufacturers continue to adopt Dyneema® Force Multiplier Technology at a rapid pace, utilizing the material to deliver protection for law enforcement and military applications with the market’s lightest weight, thinnest profile and the best in ballistic protection. Application specialists developed the idea for the female concept vest to showcase to armor manufacturers the nearly unlimited potential of the Dyneema® Force Multiplier Technology material to enable groundbreaking innovations for next-generation armor designs.
“We will clearly demonstrate to AUSA attendees the versatility of Dyneema® Force Multiplier Technology for almost limitless innovation in armor. Manufacturers are able to take advantage of the technology to develop and bring to market armor that offers extreme light weight and thinness, with no compromise in maintaining high ballistic protection,” said Shitij Chabba, global business segment director, DSM Dyneema.
Among the most prevalent recent concerns voiced by military leaders and civilian stakeholders is the need to address the unique challenges faced by servicewomen tasked with an increasing variety of roles. Body armor incorporating Dyneema® Force Multiplier Technology can serve as an equalizer for female soldiers and can support the U.S. Army’s Soldier 2020 initiative, which focuses on expanding the role of women in the military.
Compared to body armor made from traditional materials such as aramid, protective vests engineered with Dyneema® Force Multiplier Technology can reduce weight by up to 30 percent, while enhancing a soldier’s comfort and agility with fewer layers of material and increased flexibility. Ballistic performance benefits include outstanding multiple hit performance and superior protection against angle and edge shots as well as special threats such as fragments from improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
Built on DSM Dyneema’s Radical Innovation Platform, this technology combines breakthroughs in polymer science, next-generation ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMwPE) fiber technology and unique uni-directional engineering. The leading-edge technology offers armor manufacturers the potential to realize dramatic improvements in a wide array of personal and vehicle armor applications.
Dyneema® Force Multiplier Technology is already being utilized in vests, inserts, helmets, extremity protection, and in hard armor for helicopters, patrol boats and land vehicles. The innovative material is produced in the United States at DSM Dyneema’s Greenville, N.C. manufacturing facility.
In addition to the concept vest for female soldiers, the company’s booth will also spotlight examples of the breadth and depth of applications for Dyneema® fiber technologies. These encompass performance textiles including flexible, durable cut-resistant gloves and sportswear; strong, lightweight ropes and lines for maritime, offshore, industrial and yachting applications; nets for such commercial applications as aquaculture and cargo transport; and performance auto safety gear such as racing seat belts. DSM Dyneema management and technical experts will be available at the booth to discuss how Dyneema® fiber can significantly reduce weight and profile while dramatically increasing the strength, reliability and performance of defense and law enforcement products.
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Notes for editors
About DSM Dyneema
DSM Dyneema is the inventor and manufacturer of Ultra High Molecular Weight PolyEthylene (UHMWPE) fiber branded as Dyneema®, the world’s strongest fiber™. Dyneema® offers maximum strength combined with minimum weight. It is up to 15 times stronger than quality steel and up to 40% stronger than aramid fibers, both on weight for weight basis. Dyneema® fiber floats on water and is extremely durable and resistant to moisture, UV light and chemicals. The applications are therefore more or less unlimited. Dyneema® is an important component in ropes, cables and nets in the fishing, shipping and offshore industries. Dyneema® is also used in safety gloves for the metalworking industry and in fine yarns for applications in sporting goods and the medical sector. In addition, Dyneema® is also used in bullet resistant armor and clothing for police and military personnel.
UHMWPE fiber from DSM Dyneema is produced in Heerlen (The Netherlands) and in Greenville, North Carolina (U.S.A.). DSM Dyneema is also a partner in a high modulus polyethylene (HMPE) manufacturing joint venture in Japan. Further information on DSM Dyneema is available at www.dyneema.com.
DSM - Bright Science. Brighter Living.™
Royal DSM is a global science-based company active in health, nutrition and materials. By connecting its unique competences in Life Sciences and Materials Sciences DSM is driving economic prosperity, environmental progress and social advances to create sustainable value for all stakeholders simultaneously. DSM delivers innovative solutions that nourish, protect and improve performance in global markets such as food and dietary supplements, personal care, feed, medical devices, automotive, paints, electrical and electronics, life protection, alternative energy and bio-based materials. DSM’s 24,500 employees deliver annual net sales of around €10 billion. The company is listed on NYSE Euronext. More information can be found at www.dsm.com.
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