JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #102 - January/February 2016 - 12

Applications

defence

Hybrid, lightweight,
armour project
- Hybrid, lightweight,
armour project ........... p12
- Carbon fibre suspension
part for motorcycles ... p13

The LightArmour project is a
collaboration between seven
partners over 27 months with
the main goal of bringing an
innovative alternative to traditional armour systems through
the use of a combination of
self-reinforced polymer (SRP)
composite materials.

T

he selection of products brought on
by this project ranges from lightweight body armour to vehicle and
aerospace protection devices (notably
complex helicopter parts), in response
to a variety of both civilian and defencerelated threats.

Low weight
and impact resistance
To this end, the LightArmour project will
develop self-reinforced polymer composites and lightweight ceramics. The key
characteristic of SRP composites is that

both the resin and reinforcement come
from the same thermoplastic polymer
family, with the matrix being a lower melt
temperature version while the reinforcement is a higher melt temperature one,
using a high-tenacity fibre. Due to their
low weight and impact resistance, SRP
composites present numerous advantages
for anti-ballistic applications. Armour
systems need to be as lightweight and
flexible as possible, and this new range of
products is part of the solution. Additionally, a novel moulding system will also be
developed.

Matthew Thorton, the NetComposites
Project Manager, has expressed that everyone is very excited "to be working with
such a great combination of organizations
from across the supply chain and the
knowledge base".
NetComposites expects the project to
result in new products, new moulding equipment and techniques, and the
chance for the UK to maintain its worldleading position in innovative armour
products. n
More information:
http://lightarmourproject.co.uk/

A strong and
productive collaboration
The seven partners working to
bring this project to light cover
the entire supply chain. Led by
NetComposites, the project
also features XeraCarb (highperformance silicon carbide
composite ceramics), C-Tech
Innovation (radiofrequency and
microwave systems development),
Pro2Pro (latest technologies and
machinery in rapid manufacturing), Cranfield University (unique
educational opportunities in the
defence and security sectors),
Design Futures at the Sheffield
Hallam University and finally, Airbus Helicopters (efficient civil and
military helicopter solutions).

Light and flexible body armour systems

About DUTE
The LightArmour project is part of a £10 million jointly funded programme between
government and industry. The Dual Use Technology Exploitation (DUTE) cluster will help
boost growth by linking UK manufacturers, particularly SMEs, from the civil and defence
sectors to draw on the best technologies of both to deliver game-changing solutions for
customers. It is expected to create more than 140 jobs and safeguard a further 190 jobs
across 15 partners up to 2019. DUTE has been created as an output from the Defence
Growth Partnership's Value Chain Competitiveness Team.

12 jec composites magazine / No102 January - February 2016
http://lightarmourproject.co.uk/
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #102 - January/February 2016
