Specialty plastic satisfies stringent requirements for protective helmets

KZPT uses the transparent and highly heat-resistant polycarbonate Apec? FR 1892 from Bayer MaterialScience for the visors of its fire helmets. For good reason: Thanks to its outstanding properties, the high-tech plastic reliably protects firefighters’ faces and eyes against flames, heat and flying debris. KZPT uses the injection molding process at its site in Kalisz, Poland, to produce visors used primarily by firefighters in eastern European countries and the Middle East. 

Firefighters risk their lives every day to protect people, animals and property. It is therefore all the more important that they themselves are protected as well as possible against the hazards lurking at the site of a fire or accident. Helmets made of specially developed materials play an important role here. 

“We investigated the suitability of a whole series of plastics for this application,” says Wlodzimierz Chlebowski, technical director at KZPT, “but only the product from Bayer MaterialScience offers the high level of fire protection and flame retardance required by international standards together with the necessary mechanical strength.”

Apec? FR 1892 includes a flame retardant (FR stands for flame retardant) and is characterized by very good heat resistance. It satisfies the European standard EN 443:2008, among others, which specifies particularly stringent requirements for the protective function of fire helmets. This standard stipulates that the visor must keep flames, heat and sparks away from the wearer’s face. 

“Apec? is highly shatter resistant and thermally stable, which is also an important prerequisite for use in protective helmets,” explains Matthias Rothe, who is responsible at Bayer MaterialScience for market development for polycarbonate consumer goods. “The firefighter’s face is thus provided with the best possible protection against flying debris.” The product’s good flow properties also allow for efficient processing. The finished visor features a smooth, glossy surface. 

Premium helmets, such as the KZPT Calisia Vulcan, are even equipped with two visors made of Apec? FR 1892 and thus provide even greater protection. The outer visor is coated with vaporized metal and reflects the heat more strongly than the simple variant. 

By the way, the material from Bayer MaterialScience is also the material of choice for many transparent and metalized specialty applications, such as respirator masks, fog lamps, bezels and specialty medical components. Compared with other polycarbonates, Apec? offers much greater temperature resistance together with outstanding surface quality and toughness.
Nike Air Max 90