The modern industrial age has helped manufacturers come up with some pretty clever technology. And I don’t just smartphones. A big part of that has been research into advanced materials that are capable of stuff that was previously thought to be borderline sorcery. The process of manufacturing armour has also taken long strides. We are still a long way from vibranium and Iron Man suits, but that seems more a matter of time than comic imagination.
Yet, do you ever wonder which ones fit in your car? Armoured vehicles are getting more popular by the day and are becoming more personalized rather than being limited to the rich and famous. This calls for a slew of manufacturers to come up with new ideas for bulletproof car materials. There might be thousands of materials and millions of iterations, some even being kept secret, for materials major companies use to manufacture armoured vehicles. Still, don’t let your head go spinning just yet. Here is a part-wise list of the most popular ones that are used in armour manufacturing processes today.
As the name suggests, this type of armour inhabits the windows of the car, specifically the glass. This type of armour is special since it needs to allow the passengers to look outside while keeping them protected from threats. For major bulletproof car manufacturers in India like JCBL, Lexan polycarbonate is the window armour most prominent in use.
Lexan Polycarbonate: Lexan is a resin thermoplastic that works by utilizing its ability to flex, literally. It can stretch to amazing lengths without cracking or tearing, which makes it ideal to “catch” bullets by absorbing their kinetic energy, keeping the rest of the glass from breaking. Fun fact, it was also used to manufacture DVDs.
Unlike most other parts of a car, the tyres are under a constant sheer stress. Even in a standing car, the tyres bear the weight of the car on one side with the immense air pressure on the other. Yeah, think about that the next time you get a double assignment on the last working weekday. That also means that they require special bulletproof car materials without letting your vehicle careen off the road above 60 Km/h.
Run Flat Tyres: Run Flat Tyres are specially designed with a composite frame inside the tube. As the outer surface takes damage, the inner frame takes the weight and keeps the car going. Depending upon the manufacturer, a run flat tyre can last up to 80 Km. and help the bulletproof car maintain a speed of 80 Km./h. Although they are not as effective off-road as inflated treads, run flat tyres can help you get out of a prickly situation when needed.
Alright, this is for the big guns. Ballistic armour can inhabit the doors, hood, engine bay or the trunk. Certain armoured cars can even be retrofitted with extra ballistic armour under the carpet and over the pillars. While tyres and windows are easy to replace, the whole car needs to be basically stripped down to install the majority of ballistic armour. It can also vary widely depending on the level of bulletproofing your car requires.
Ballistic Steel: This is the most common and heaviest form of ballistic armour. Ballistic steel can further be specified from a collection of iterations, each with varying levels of hardness. The ballistic armour in your car can be low-carbon steel, titanium alloy steel, abrasive resistant steel among various others. Manufacturers such as JCBL Armouring Solutions can help you select the right kind that cater specifically to your protection needs.
- Advanced Handling Systems
In an armoured vehicles, it is natural that even a mid-sized Land Rover would handle like a school bus. As such, the numerous handling systems of the car need to be revamped to the new specifications. When confronted with danger, you want your bulletproof car to be light on the feet. It is often best to escape before threat levels increase to unmanageable proportions.
Brakes: As your car puts on armour, the increased weight increases the braking distance. This can lead to less control over the speed of the car, which can have disastrous results for both the passengers and other commuters in the way. Upgrading disc brakes are a sure-shot way to get the control of the car back in your hands. Manufacturers like JCBL Armouring Solutions even fine-tune systems such as ABS and EBD.
Must Read:- The rising demand for bulletproof vehicles and how they are made.
Suspension System: The increased weight of the armour in your bulletproof car means it is difficult to steer the car around tight corners. It slides all over the place and the body roll is immense, especially in larger SUVs. Upgraded suspension systems with reinforced shocks and multiple springs help you keep the handling of the car on an even keel.
Hinges: Most bulletproof car manufacturers in India have to compensate for various factory parts of a car to make it less of a liability when armoured up. Hinges on doors and trunk can be serious trouble as they are particularly vulnerable to damage. Thus, reinforced hinges are called for that offer a more comprehensive protection package and an easier escape due to smoother functioning of the doors.