When the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) needed to develop a cutting-edge ballistic protection system, they collaborated with Edwards Design and Fabrication, Inc. and Avient. Their mission: to create a lightweight, portable structure capable of providing rapid protection against enemy fire and explosive threats in remote locations. The solution came in the form of the Modular Protective System (MPS), a collapsible structure featuring Avient’s GlasArmor™ ballistic-resistant composite panels.

Avient’s Materials: The Manufacturer's Choice for Safety

Avient’s GlasArmor™ ballistic panels, made from fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites, offer superior strength and protection while being lighter and easier to deploy than traditional materials like steel or concrete. The panels weigh 25% less than steel, making them ideal for rapid field deployment in critical military applications where time is of the essence.

The GlasArmor™ panels meet Level 3 protection under Underwriters Laboratories (UL) 752 standards for ballistic resistance, offering protection against .44 magnum rounds. These panels also prevent ricochets, further enhancing safety for soldiers. Their modular nature allows for quick setup—requiring only hours, rather than days, to establish protective barriers without the need for additional heavy equipment.

A Collaborative Approach to Engineering Excellence

Avient’s collaboration with Edwards Design and Fabrication resulted in a custom-tailored solution that not only met the necessary ballistic resistance but also seamlessly integrated with the MPS hardware. Additionally, the panels were designed to meet specific color requirements for effective camouflage, demonstrating Avient’s commitment to providing materials that perform in the most demanding environments.

Why Manufacturers Choose Avient for Ballistic Protection

1. Unparalleled Ballistic Protection: GlasArmor™ panels meet the rigorous Level 3 standards for ballistic resistance, ensuring safety in extreme conditions.
2. Lightweight and Portable: The composite material weighs 25% less than steel, significantly reducing the logistical burden without compromising on durability.
3. Rapid Deployment: Structures using GlasArmor™ panels can be assembled in a matter of hours, a crucial advantage in fast-paced military environments.
4. Customizable Solutions: Avient works closely with manufacturers to deliver solutions that are tailored to specific needs, ensuring optimal performance and compatibility.

The Avient Advantage

For manufacturers seeking to deliver enhanced protection to those who serve, Avient’s advanced materials provide solutions that reduce complexity, save time, and elevate safety standards. With a proven track record in the defense industry, Avient’s expertise in creating high-performance materials makes them the partner of choice for manufacturers looking to innovate and improve their protective systems.

By trusting in Avient’s materials, manufacturers can ensure they are building with the best—delivering smarter, safer, and more efficient solutions that meet the most demanding challenges.

About Avient

Avient Corporation provides specialized and sustainable material solutions that transform customer challenges into opportunities, bringing new products to life for a better world. Examples include:  

• Dyneema®, the world’s strongest fiber™, enables unmatched levels of performance and protection for end-use applications, including ballistic personal protection, marine and sustainable infrastructure and outdoor sports  
• Unique technologies that improve the recyclability of products and enable recycled content to be incorporated, thus advancing a more circular economy  
• Light-weighting solutions that replace heavier traditional materials like metal, glass, and wood, which can improve fuel efficiency in all modes of transportation and reduce carbon footprint  
• Sustainable infrastructure solutions that increase energy efficiency, renewable energy, natural resource conservation, and fiber optic / 5G network accessibility    

Avient is certified ACC Responsible Care®, a founding member of the Alliance to End Plastic Waste, and certified Great Place to Work®. For more information, visit https://www.avient.com. 

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