29 Aug 2005
GE Expands Transparent Armor Glazing Solutions for Increased Personal & Property Protection in Security Applications
BERGEN OP ZOOM, THE NETHERLANDS — August 29, 2005 — Amid heightened concerns about personal protection and security from both natural and human threats, GE Advanced Materials has expanded its line of safety and security products with three new transparent armor laminates for glazing applications: Armorgard*, Suregard*, and Lexgard* laminates.
GE’s Armorgard, Suregard, and Lexgard laminates are targeted at applications ranging from buildings, guardhouses, armored vehicles, and detention centers to schools and banks to critical infrastructure such as power plants, government buildings, and embassies. They deliver exceptional heat and impact resistance, along with outstanding energy absorption, lightweight, and anti-spall (the spray of glass fragments) properties.
The new GE glazing products meet widely recognized standards – such as ASTM, UL, HP White, NIJ, and European standards EN356, DIN 52290 PART3, EN1063, and DIN52290 Part2 – and may provide protection against many of the overpressures and fragments associated with explosions. They have been tested to absorb up to 57 psi – the equivalent of 4,300 lbs of TNT detonated from 115 feet away – and may withstand gunfire from weapons ranging from 9mm handguns to 7.62mm NATO high-powered rifles.
“With the many different security concerns facing us today, GE recognized that one type of armor glazing was not enough,” said Michael DiFucci, GE industry manager, Building Security & Infrastructure. “Our three new laminates have been engineered to help defend buildings - and their occupants – against ballistics, forced entry, and bomb blast. Together with Lexan Margard sheet, these products can help provide greater safety, protection, and peace of mind in a wide range of threatening situations.”
Armorgard Laminates
GE’s Armorgard laminated glass and PC sheet grades may help provide a highly effective barrier against a variety of ballistic assaults without spalling on the protected interior surface. They meet the full requirements of UL752 up to Level 8 and are available in no-spall or low spall design. No spall designs feature an exterior glass (threat side) surface with a Margard sheet interior (safe side) surface for increased UV and mar resistance, while the low spall version provides glass on both interior and exterior surfaces and are designed to help stop bullet penetration.
Suregard Laminates
Designed to help withstand impact from implements ranging from hammers and axes to propane torches and fire extinguishers, GE’s Suregard glass-clad PC laminate is targeted primarily at protection against smash and grab raids. This product is designed to protect an opening where forced entry/exit is of main concern. Suregard laminate combines the excellent aesthetics of glass with the forced entry protection of a Lexan polycarbonate core and can be formed into curved shapes. In detention facilities, for example, curved glazing can improve monitoring by eliminating blind spots and restricted viewing caused by metal bars.
Lexgard Laminates
GE’s Lexgard laminates can help provide ballistic, bomb blast, and forced entry protection. Constructed from Lexan PC sheet layers bonded with proprietary interlayers, these glass-free laminates offer extremely high impact resistance and absorb impact energy without spalling. They also provide significant weight savings over conventional glazing. Lexgard laminates are protected against abrasion, chemicals, and UV light by Margard sheet coating. They are suitable for flat applications only.
Lexan Margard Sheet
In addition to these new products, GE Advanced Materials’ Lexan Margard sheet can be an excellent candidate for security glazing to help prevent burglary from forced entry. It may help delay a burglar to the point where he/she simply gives up the attempt or is detected. Either way, it helps protect premises and property, and re-glazing costs may be eliminated.
Safety glazing Lexan Margard sheet will not shatter or splinter, greatly reducing the risk of accidental injury in applications like internal partitions and doors. Lexan Margard sheet is also an excellent candidate for safety screening in sports stadiums and other outdoor applications like acoustic screens for deflection of traffic noise in built-up areas.
GE’s Armorgard, Suregard, and Lexgard laminates and Lexan Margard sheet are available globally.
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Notes for editors
About GE Advanced Materials
GE Advanced Materials (www.geadvancedmaterials.com) is a world leader in providing high-technology material solutions. Headquartered in Pittsfield, Mass., its businesses include Plastics, Silicones, Quartz, Automotive, Specialty Film & Sheet, Polymershapes, and Sealants and Adhesives.
GE (NYSE: GE) is Imagination at Work – a diversified technology, media and financial services company focused on solving some of the world's toughest problems. With products and services ranging from aircraft engines, power generation, water processing and security technology to medical imaging, business and consumer financing, media content and advanced materials, GE serves customers in more than 100 countries and employs more than 300,000 people worldwide. For more information, visit the company's Web site at www.ge.com.
* Armorgard, Suregard, Lexgard, Lexan, and Margard are trademarks of General Electric Company.
Related images
GE’s Armorgard*, Suregard*, and Lexgard* Laminates Used for High Security Facilities
Armorgard*, Suregard*, and Lexgard* laminates from GE Advanced Materials have the potential to provide formidable defense against major threats. Major industry segments that may benefit from the use of these materials include military vehicles and bases, embassies, government buildings, corporations, manufacturing facilities, guard booths, schools, detention centers, gas stations, banks, and critical infrastructure areas such as chemical sites. Water filtration and power plants are also potential applications. The new safety and security laminates join GE’s popular and proven Lexan* Margard* polycarbonate (PC) sheet.
Store Security Partitions and Doors
GE Advanced Materials’ Lexan* Margard* sheet can be an excellent candidate for security glazing to help prevent burglary from forced entry by delaying a burglar to the point where he/she simply gives up the attempt or is detected. Either way, Lexan Margard sheet helps protect the premises and property, and re-glazing costs may be eliminated. Lexan Margard sheet will not shatter or splinter, greatly reducing the risk of accidental injury in applications like internal partitions and doors. Additional applications for GE’s Lexan Margard sheet include safety screening in sports stadiums and other outdoor applications like acoustic screens for deflection of traffic noise in built-up areas.
Safety Screening Used at an Ice Rink
Lexan* Margard* sheet from GE Advanced Materials can offer excellent optical clarity with a unique combination of properties that make it a top potential candidate for safety and security glazing in a wide range of applications. Because of its great strength and superior impact resistance and transparency, Lexan Margard sheet is an excellent candidate for safety screening in sports stadiums and other outdoor applications like acoustic screens for deflection of traffic noise in built-up areas.
Bullet-Resistant Testing on Armorgard*, Suregard*, and Lexgard* Laminates
Armorgard*, Suregard*, and Lexgard* laminates from GE Advanced Materials provide bullet-resistant qualities that may withstand a multi-shot assaults, absorbing the total impact energy without dangerous spalling. The materials offer the potential to provide formidable defense against threats to military vehicles and bases, embassies, government buildings, corporations, manufacturing facilities, guard booths, schools, detention centers, gas stations, banks, and critical infrastructure areas. The new safety and security laminates join GE’s popular and proven Lexan* Margard* polycarbonate (PC) sheet.
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