Issue link: http://lawandordermag.epubxp.com/i/238697
UP-CLOSE DSM Dyneema Ballistic Materials face side of the vest. The result is a material that allows the energy from an impact to be distributed along the fbers much faster and more evenly than conventional, woven fabrics. Dyneema UD is used to make both soft ballistic and hard ballistic grades for ballistic vests, helmets, and inserts and for vehicle armor of all types (land, air and sea). Dyneema Force Multiplier Technology Dyneema® is a premium brand for Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE). The fiber is 15 times stronger than steel and 40 percent lighter than aramids. Ballistic versions come in several forms including fiber, tape and unidirectional (UD) sheets. Ballistic helmets made with Dyneema offer high levels of ballistic protection with the lightest weight. At the 2013 IACP Conference, Point Blank Enterprises introduced their Alpha Elite™ Series line of soft body armor using the latest innovation from DSM— Dyneema Force Multiplier Technology. The term "force multiplier" means a factor that greatly increases the effectiveness of something. In this case, one of the world's strongest fbers has been made even stronger and the unidirectional laminating process is further improved. The result is one of the most advanced ballistic materials available today. DSM Dyneema engineers created a completely unique UHMWPE polymer using their patented, gel-spinning technology. Using a gel of extremely high molecular weight, they spin it to disentangle the polymeric chain, drawing the fber to superior ratios. The result is a fber with new levels of strength. In making the laminated ballistic material from the ballistic fber, many thousands of individual fber flaments are aligned in a unique 90-degree confguration. Placed at right angles to one another and then laminated together, each sheet is able to combine the unique strength of the new fber with the pliant thinness of the matrix design. Sheets of Dyneema Force Multiplier Technology ballistic material are so light and fexible that they appear semi-transparent. Point Blank Alpha Elite Series Dyneema fibers are layered in a criss-cross, 90-degree orientation to provide the maximum energy absorption. 52 LAW and ORDER I January 2014 The Alpha Elite Series was born when Point Blank engineers tested more than 400 different materials to meet the need of the US Special Operations Forces. Dyneema's Force Multiplier Technology exceeded the standards required for extremely high-performance military applications. And that also made it supremely suitable for both concealable and tactical body armor in law enforcement applications.