Market analysis & commercialisation planning for on-shoring production of innovative protective body armour for use in industrial applications

据报告，在金属锻造部门发生了多起由工作环境中使用的工具产生的滚烫的金属飞溅造成的严重伤害事件(Edencroft Consulting Ltd.，24/04/13)。已经检查了许多保护方法，但由于目前可用的防护服对佩戴者造成的热量和行动限制，没有一种方法可以在这种特殊的环境中使用。一个主要的问题是当前服装(每件C6公斤)的重量，在这种类型的应用中，部件的辐射热量被传导到穿着者身上，导致不舒服&因此工作人员抵制使用服装。目前市场占有率最大的产品是由链甲或环网制成的，这加剧了这类问题。该项目调查了一种增强聚合物产品的使用，这种产品经过加工后，冲击强度是前体材料的40倍，比金属基服装轻8倍。试验表明，该材料具有优良的抗侵彻性能，适合于这种类型的使用。现有的链甲/环网服装不是在英国制造的，而是通过预制的卷筒或作为成品进口的。这些材料中使用的增强聚合物已经开发并将在英国生产；该项目将导致防护服的生产外包。该产品的使用也可以扩展到其他成型技术具有特殊性能的部门，例如：摩托车手套、夹克和其他工作服的保护衬垫，如工业靴子和手套。食品加工行业是另一个面临类似问题的行业，尽管在这种情况下，问题是用刀砍伤人，而不是用飞来飞去的金属。未来的工作还将包括调查刺伤防护和防弹装甲部门单独使用陶瓷产品或与陶瓷产品结合使用的可能性。

There have been a number of reported incidents of severe injuries in the metal forging sectorcaused by hot flying metal from tools used within the work environment (EdencroftConsulting Ltd, 24/04/13). A number of methods for protection have been examined butnone were found that could be used in this particular environment due to the heat & therestriction in movement caused to wearers by protective clothing currently available. Onemajor problem is the weight of current garments (c6Kg each), also in this type of applicationthe radiant heat from the parts is conducted to the wearer resulting in discomfort & thereforeresistance from staff to the use of the garments. The product which currently has the greatestmarket share is made from chainmail or ringmesh which exacerbates such problems.This project investigates the use of a reinforced polymer product that is processed to give 40times the impact strength of the precursor material & is eight times lighter than metal basedgarments. Tests have shown the material has excellent penetration resistance & is suitable forthis type of use. The existing chainmail/ringmesh garments are not manufactured in the UKbut imported on premade rolls or as finished product. The reinforced polymer used in thesetrials has been developed & will be manufactured in the UK; this project will result in the onshoringof production of the protective clothing.The use of this product can also be extended to other sectors where the moulding techniquesimpart specific properties, eg: motorcycle gloves, jackets, and protective inserts for otherworkwear such as industrial boots & gloves. The food preparation industry is another facingsimilar problems, although in this case the issue is slashing and stabbing with knives ratherthan flying metal. Future work will also include investigation into the potential for use in thestab protection & ballistic armour sectors either in isolation from or in conjunction withceramic-based products.