Armor will be stronger thanks to nanotubes

November 26, 2010 2

The new company TorTech Nano Fibers will start producing carbon nanotube-based fibers in Israel, which will be used to enhance the protective properties of body armor and armor production of combat vehicles. This is actually one of the first examples of the large-scale introduction of the latest promising technology and industrial production of nanomaterial, which is stronger than Kevlar and other ballistic fabrics, but at the same time flexible and light. TorTech Nano Fibers is a joint venture owned by Israeli armor company Plasan and Q-Flo of the University of Cambridge. In accordance with the agreement, Plasan will have exclusive sales and marketing rights to armor protection, while Q-Flo will retain rights for other potential uses of the new material.

“We believe that carbon nanotubes will revolutionize the defense industry with the advent of new lightweight, flexible and incredibly durable armor materials,” said Plasan CEO, Dan Ziv. “We intend to produce fiber based carbon nanotubes that can be woven in durable materials. "

The large-scale production of new heavy-duty types of armor is very much in demand in the light of the protracted military conflicts, the growing list of threats and the increasing value of each soldier. Carbon nanotubes are one of the promising materials that can qualitatively improve the body armor. So, in August of this year, Lockheed Martin published a study, according to which adding 1,5 - 5% carbon nanotubes to armor material can improve protection against bullets on 20 - 50%. The addition of carbon nanotubes to the polymer matrix and its subsequent weaving into the fibers of aramid fabrics makes the bulletproof vest bulletproof. The ballistic “nanotechnology” material may contain from 40 to 70% aramid fibers and from 60 to 30% resin (polymer matrix). The concentration by weight of nanotubes in the polymer matrix can vary from 1,5 to 5%.

A typical variant of reinforced armor: 60% is Kevlar aramid fibers, 40% is impregnation (for example, polyurethane) containing resin with 1,5% nanotubes. Nanotubes can also include silicon or boron compounds. Ratios can vary depending on the desired material properties and the level of threat.