Honeywell's Spectra Shield® Ballistic Material To Provide Ballistic Protection For Next-Generation Law Enforcement And Military Body Armor

Advanced material helps provide increased protection at lighter, more comfortable weight

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Jul 15, 2014, 10:00 ET

MORRIS TOWNSHIP, N.J., July 15, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Honeywell (NYSE: HON) announced today that its Spectra Shield^® ballistic material is being used as a critical component for body armor plates recently introduced by Reed Composite Solutions (RCS).

The ballistic material is being used in RCS's AMUR™ Models 3600 and 3610 rigid plates, which are inserted into law enforcement and military vests and have been specified or sold on six continents to date. The Spectra Shield material increases the bullet-stopping capability of the plates, while allowing for designs that are more comfortable for the wearer. Both AMUR models using Spectra Shield material are certified by the National Institute of Justice, multi-shot rated and provide protection against rifle threats. Thousands of these plates are currently in field.

"Honeywell has been at the forefront of bullet-resistant technology for militaries and a leader in developing ballistic materials for the U.S. law enforcement market for more than 20 years," said Tim Swinger, global business manager for Honeywell's Advanced Fibers and Composites business. "Our goal is to provide the strongest, lightest-weight materials that enable manufacturers, like Reed Composite Solutions, to develop armor solutions that provide the greatest comfort possible to those who risk their lives in the line of duty every day."

Ryan Reed, president and managing member, Reed Composite Solutions said, "Using multiple grades of Spectra Shield material allowed us to achieve plate weights, trauma reduction numbers and threat protection never before seen in the industry. Our Model 3600 plate is the gold standard in value for neutrally buoyant Level III armor plates, and our Model 3610 provides ultimate protection for members of the military and law enforcement."

Spectra Shield is a composite material made with Spectra^® fiber, an ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene fiber that, pound for pound, is 15 times stronger than steel, yet light enough to float. With Honeywell's patented Shield technology, parallel strands of synthetic fiber lying side by side are held in place with a resin system. Layers of the material are then cross-plied at right angles and fused into a composite structure under heat and pressure, allowing the material to stop projectiles more effectively and the energy of a projectile to rapidly dissipate along the length of the fiber upon impact.

Honeywell ballistic materials have been trusted to protect military and police forces around the world for more than two decades. In addition to bullet-resistant body armor plates, these materials are used in a variety of applications where lightweight strength is critical, including military and law enforcement vests, helmets and armored vehicles.

Honeywell maintains an active Spectra fiber and ballistic materials research and development program focused on meeting increased demand for its high-performance materials for applications ranging from military and law enforcement to a wide variety of industrial and recreational applications, including rope and lifting slings, mooring lines, fishing line, sail cloth and security netting.

For more information about Honeywell Spectra Shield, visit www.honeywell-spectra.com.

Honeywell Performance Materials and Technologies (PMT) is a global leader in developing advanced materials, process technologies and automation solutions. PMT's Advanced Materials businesses manufacture a wide variety of high-performance products, including environmentally friendlier refrigerants and materials used to manufacture end products such as bullet-resistant armor, nylon, computer chips and pharmaceutical packaging. Process technologies developed by PMT's UOP business (www.uop.com) form the foundation for most of the world's refiners, efficiently producing gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, petrochemicals and renewable fuels. PMT's Process Solutions business (www.honeywellprocess.com) is a pioneer in automation control, instrumentation and services for the oil and gas, refining, pulp and paper, industrial power generation, chemicals and petrochemicals, biofuels, life sciences, and metals, minerals and mining industries.

Honeywell (www.honeywell.com) is a Fortune 100 diversified technology and manufacturing leader, serving customers worldwide with aerospace products and services; control technologies for buildings, homes and industry; turbochargers; and performance materials. Based in Morris Township, N.J., Honeywell's shares are traded on the New York, London, and Chicago Stock Exchanges. For more news and information on Honeywell, please visit www.honeywellnow.com.

SOURCE Honeywell