23 Aug 2004
GE Advanced Materials and Nolan team for safety
Italian motorcyle helmet manufacturer chooses two LEXAN® resins for helmet lines
The production of protective motorcycling helmets by the Nolan Group of companies began in the early 1970s, when it was decided that LEXAN polycarbonate resin, the same innovative material used by NASA for astronaut helmets, would be used to further improve motorcycle helmet safety. Throughout its 35-year history, in partnership with GE Advanced Materials, the Nolan Group has continuously raised the standard of its products, has broadened its range and has encouraged the honing of increasingly sophisticated materials.
Motorcycle helmet design demands tough requirements from the materials that comprise it. Designs must be functional, offering a high level of protection against impact with either flat or sharp objects, which may occur in an accident event, even at temperatures well below the freezing point. Moreover, as a piece of apparel, the materials should also allow the flexibility to create eye-catching designs that will attract the attention of the consumers who purchase them.
Nolan chose the co-polymer polycarbonate-siloxane LEXAN EXL® resin for the shell of
its full-face, flip-up helmet model N101, and the use of this material has since been extended to the complete product range. The specific grade chosen offers excellent impact resistance at low temperatures, superior chemical resistance and enhanced paintability when compared to traditional polycarbonate resins.
Together with the protective shell, another key element of a motorcycle helmet is the visor.
Using LEXAN optical quality polycarbonate resin enabled Nolan todeliver optical clarity with higher eyes protection against subtle UV rays with wavelengths shorter than 400nm (UV 400 protection). Visors are treated with a scratch-resistant coating, also provided by GE Advanced Materials
The combination of LEXAN resins allows Nolan to meet and exceed European and US safety standards such as ECE 22-05, DOT 218. In addition, Nolan offers a five-year guarantee from date of purchase of its helmets.
Today, the cooperation between the two companies continues and GE Advanced Materials is committed to delivering Nolan with material technology to continuously improve safety, comfort, aesthetics and productivity.
Nolan Group markets his helmets in more 70 countries in the world under the brands X-lite, Nolan and Grex, in more than 30 models and hundreds versions. Details at www.nolan.it.
Reader enquiries
GE PlasticsPlasticslaan 1
4600 AC Bergen op Zoom
Netherlands
Helen Vandebovenkamp
helen.vandebovenkamp@ge.com
Tel: +31 164 29 20 97
Fax: +31 164 29 10 66
Netherlands
Notes for editors
GE Advanced Materials
GE Advanced Materials is a world leader in providing materials solutions through engineering thermoplastics, silicon-based products and technology platforms, and fused quartz and ceramics. Among its businesses are:
• Silicones, which includes GE Toshiba Silicones in the Pacific region and GE Bayer Silicones in Europe, offers silanes, specialty silicones, urethane additives, adhesives, sealants, resins, and elastomers for a variety of industries such as personal care, automotive, tire and rubber, construction, healthcare, electronics, household and institutional, agriculture, textiles, appliances, bedding and furnishings, foam control, and consumer (https://www.gesilicones.com/gesilicones/am1/en/home.jsp);
• Plastics is a global plastics materials supplier and distributor, which serves customers in a variety of industries including aerospace, appliances, automotive, building and construction, data storage and optical media, medical, electrical and electronics devices, telecommunications, computers and peripheral devices, outdoor vehicles and devices, and packaging (https://www.geplastics.com);
• Quartz produces high purity materials for the semiconductor, fiber optic, lamp making and water purification industries. GE Quartz is a leading supplier of quartz materials to the semiconductor industry (https://www.gequartz.com/en/index.htm);
• GE (NYSE:GE) is a diversified technology, media, and financial services company dedicated to creating products that make life better. From aircraft engines and power generation to financial services, medical imaging, television programming, and plastics, GE operates in more than 100 countries and employs more than 300,000 people worldwide. For more information, visit the company's website at https://www.ge.com.
LEXAN is a registered trademark of General Electric Company.
Related images
Nolan chose the co-polymer polycarbonate-siloxane LEXAN EXL® resin for the shell of
its full-face, flip-up helmet model N101, and the use of this material has since been extended to the complete product range. The specific grade chosen offers excellent impact resistance at low temperatures, superior chemical resistance and enhanced paintability when compared to traditional polycarbonate resins.
Editorial enquiries
Marianne Schouten
GE Advanced Materials
Brigitta de Vries
Marketing Solutions NV