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| GE expands transparent armor glazing solutions  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. These 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. 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. 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. 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. In addition to these new products, GE Advanced Materials’ Lexan Margard sheet (see photo) 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. write your comments about the article :: © 2005 Construction News :: home page |