Much attention is paid to the level of ballistic protection in armor – particularly against rifle rounds. What is often missed when assessing ballistic armor is the edge shot protection – whether a bullet that hits 2″ (50mm) from the edge of a rifle shield or body armor plate will be stopped. Current US ballistic standards deem any shot within this outer edge as an unfair hit.

For almost all conventional ballistic materials – steel, PE, Kevlar – the answer is No: a rifle shot 2″ from the edge will usually not be stopped. This is important – it means that the actual area of effective protection in a rifle shield or body armor plate – where a user can be confident that a shot will be stopped – is much smaller – often by 20 to 40%. This critical vulnerability means operators must rely on a significantly smaller protected area than the total shield dimensions.

Safeware is a trusted name in the protective safety equipment and first responder industry with a vision to provide innovative and high-quality safety solutions. Safeware holds several cooperative contracts, serving a broad range of customers across the US, including the General Services Administration (GSA) on a national level as well as numerous state and local authorities.

Mox Weber, President, GC USA said “Being a part of the Safeware brand portfolio is an honor and demonstrates our product standing in the protection sector. Our partnership strengthens the reach in the US and provides significant commercial opportunities, particularly through federal, state, and local contracts”.

“It’s great to have GC’s ballistic product offering onboard to enhance our protection portfolio” says Scott Simons, Product Manager at Safeware. “Their unique technology has many benefits particularly its effective force dispersion and lightweight nature which are important for protection and mobility.”

To find out more, please visit our website or get in touch at info@graphenecomposites.com

Enhanced Ballistic Shield Protection
As a ballistic shield, exceeding NIJ Level III, the GC RF2 delivers enhanced protection against special threats including the 5.56 x 45mm M855 ‘green tip’ round and the 5.45 x 39mm 7N6 ‘poison bullet’ round. Designed to be lighter than competitors while ensuring greater mobility, the RF2 Shield provides assurance and peace of mind against special threats, withstanding multiple shots, including stacked rounds and edge shots without spalling or ricochet and enhanced force dispersion, minimises back face deformation.

Highly Effective Vehicle Armour Protection
GC’s RF2 Shield performs to STANAG 4569/AEP-55 Level 1 for superior blast and ballistic protection for armoured vehicles, achieving up to 30% weight reduction versus standard vehicle armours. The technology features an unrivalled ability to disperse and reflect impact force – making it highly effective against blast threats.

This collaboration marks a significant step towards advancing the scientific development and commercial deployment of cutting-edge graphene-based technologies, shaping the future of materials engineering, identifying opportunities and collaborating on projects that leverage the unique properties of graphene. The two partners will combine their expertise, resources, and research capabilities to accelerate the development and commercialization of graphene-based technologies. They will also assess the viability and feasibility of joint implementation, leading to the creation of innovative solutions that address key challenges across multiple industries.

“We are excited to join forces with RIC2D to unlock the tremendous potential of graphene and other advanced materials,” said Sandy Chen, CEO at GC. “This partnership represents a significant milestone in our commitment to developing breakthrough nanomaterials and engineering technologies that can be applied to revolutionize many industries.”

Dr. Hassan Arafat, Senior Director, RIC2D, expressed equal enthusiasm, stating, “Our collaboration with GC signifies a strategic alliance focused on harnessing the immense capabilities of graphene composites. By combining our research strengths, we aim to accelerate the adoption of graphene-based technologies and contribute to the growth of Abu Dhabi’s knowledge economy and industrialization initiatives.”

Fahad Mohamed Rashed Alabsi, Director, Commercialization, RIC-2D Research Center, said: “We are delighted to collaborate with Graphene Composites (GC) to revolutionize material science, enhancing product performance across industries. By integrating graphene’s exceptional properties, we are driving innovation with unmatched strength, conductivity, and thermal capabilities. Together, we are shaping the future of advanced materials and delivering impactful solutions.”

This partnership represents a critical step towards realizing the full potential of graphene composites and their transformative impact on industries ranging from defense to healthcare, energy, and beyond. RIC2D and GC will not only foster groundbreaking advancements but also aim to position Abu Dhabi as a global leader in the field of nanomaterials engineering and advanced materials innovation.

Part of a strategic investment by the Government of Abu Dhabi, RIC2D is dedicated to driving the progress of graphene and other 2D materials. RIC2D is aiming to catalyze and play a pivotal role in fostering the scientific development and commercialization of technologies derived from graphene and other enhanced 2D materials. With its exceptional strength, flexibility, and conductivity, graphene holds immense potential to revolutionize a broad range of consumer and industrial applications.

How much safer and more confident would you feel knowing you have lightweight, ballistic protection between you and the threat?

Police1 recently wrote a spotlight article on how the GC Patrol Shield is making a difference in officer safety – physically and by reducing officer stress and increasing confidence.

Read the full article by using the link above.