Polymers, both transparent and opaque, are used in the construction of armor to protect people from physical assault, bullets and bomb blast attacks. From bank windows to riot shields to armored vehicles, performance plastics keep people safe.
Applications
- Bank windows
- Convenience store/gas station cashier glazing
- Courtroom/judge's bench shields
- Embassy windows
- Military/police face shields
- Military vehicle windows
- Prison/detention center glazing
- Riot shields
- VIP vehicle windows
- Weather-rated windows (flying debris resistant)
- Security entryways
- Armored car construction
Advantages May Include
- Lightweight, easier to handle and store
- Optical transparency
- Impact resistance at high strain rates
- Lightweight for easy installation
- Easy to fabricate (drill holes, polish, etc.)
- Easy to laminate with multiple materials
- Ease of application and replacement
Materials
- Acrylic (PMMA)
- Ionomer
- KEVLAR® aramid fiber reinforced thermoplastics
- Polycarbonate (PC)
- Reinforced thermoset laminate shielding
Sustainability Advantages of Performance Plastics
3,000+
More than 3,000 police officers' lives have been saved over the past 30 years, thanks in part to performance plastics in their protective vests.
Source: fas.org
250x
Polycarbonate is 250x more impact resistant than glass, making it an ideal material for hurricane panels.
Source: polymershapes.com
<25%
Multi-wall clear polycarbonate is less than 25% the weight of plywood, lowering the fuel needed to transport the material.
Source: usplastic.com
17x
Acrylic is 17x stronger than regular silica glass, ideal for bulletproof glazing — plus it resists shattering.
Source: plasticmachiningcompany.com
10x + 100%
Polycarbonate is 10x more impact resistant than regular plastics — excellent for safety goggles since it absorbs energy rather than cracking — and blocks 100% of UV rays without any added coating.
Source: eaglesafety.com
iapd
the performance plastics association
Sustainability
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