FMS raw materials include Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMW-PE) Uni-Directional (UD) fabrics, which are used in a wide spectrum of ballistic protection applications. Such fabrics combine Polyethylene fibres in a thermoplastic matrix that is capable of absorbing and dispersing high impact energy, such as energy from rifle shots. Each fabric layer consists of fibre tapes cross-plied at 0°/90°/0°/90°.
The Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMW-PE) fibre is one of the strongest and lightest fibres. It is 15 times stronger than steel on an equal-weight basis, more durable than polyester and has a specific strength that is 40% greater than aramid fibre. The UHMW-PE fibre is widely used in a wide variety of Armour applications.
The UHMW-PE has high toughness and impressive visco-elastic properties, allowing it to withstand high-load strain-rate velocities. The specific density of the UHMW-PE fibre is 0.97 gr/cm3, which allows it to float on water. It also has high resistance to chemicals, water, and ultraviolet light. It has excellent vibration damping, flex fatigue and internal fibre-friction characteristics. UHMW-PE fibre’s low dielectric constant makes it virtually transparent to radar opening a wide range of applications for ballistic protection of radars located on the battlefield.
The UD materials made from UHMW-PE allow making the armour much lighter. The usage of UD-Polyethylene materials and products in personal and vehicle armour make the total weight of the soldier and the vehicle he is using much lighter. Still, the polyethylene ballistic protection system of the same soldier and the vehicle dramatically helps to withstand various threats such as rifle rounds, armour-piercing rounds, explosively formed projectiles and EODs (Explosive Ordnance Disposal).
