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United States D.O.S. “delighted” with SentryGlas® Secure™

(BLAST SEQUENCE FROM VIDEO): The powerful test blast: the window laminate and frame both remained in place and there was no internal pressure leakage.

DuPont’s Finite Element Modelling (FEM) helps predict glass performance in advance of actual blast testing, helping researchers to choose the best designs, materials and technologies for success. For example, the window system pictured would not have passed the test.

A prototype window system incorporating new DuPont™ SentryGlas® Secure™

technology was successfully tested in a full-scale blast test in September 2002. The test was sponsored by the U.S. Department of State (D.O.S.) Diplomatic Security Service as part of an ongoing cooperative relationship with DuPont and other material manufacturers.

Dr. Ali Amini, a structural engineer with U.S. D.O.S. Diplomatic Security Service, who was present at the blast test, stated that he was “delighted” with the windows’ exceptional performance.

Dr. Amini told LGN “This is the first time that we had seen glazed windows of such large size (1.2 m x 1.8 m) and only 17 mm thick, without structural mullions or muntins, survive such a substantial blast. Typically, the window glass would have been blown in by such a force.

“Security advisers working on protective structures worldwide will be able to use SentryGlas® Secure™ technology to design aesthetically and architecturally pleasing buildings using large windows with relatively thin glazing - in a marked departure from the ‘bunker’ look of traditional secure installations. It will allow larger fenestration percentages and aid in providing natural daylight in to offices within those facilities. We encourage DuPont to continue to develop Secure™ technology with commercial laminators and window manufacturers to bring the product to market in a timely fashion.”

DuPont Advanced Glazing scientist, Anthony Smith, commented: “Previously, large window panels of 17 mm thickness could only withstand bomb blasts around 70 kPa (10 psi). Using Secure? technology, the successful performance range has been three to seven times greater!

DuPont Glass Laminating Products scientist Anthony Smith and venture manager L. Todd Becker after the successful bomb blast tests.

“Because the window glass solution incorporating this new DuPont technology is significantly thinner than traditional bomb or bullet proof glass, it allows the windows to be fitted into standard frames. Thermal breaks that keep out the cold can also be designed in. This is good news, not only for embassies, but for all architectural projects worldwide where security from terrorist actions, natural disasters or merely break-ins is a factor.” In addition to retention performance, Secure? technology provides an unobstructed view (making the security solution ‘invisible’). The technology builds on the existing benefits of SentryGlas® Plus ionoplast resin such as outstanding adhesion strength, rigidity, tear strength and post breakage integrity.

Smith summed up: “The D.O.S. tests underlined that SentryGlas® Secure™ technology transforms glazing into a transparent engineering material with dependable results.”

DuPont Glass Laminating Products announced SentryGlas® Secure™, a unique new application of the company’s SentryGlas® Plus ionoplast interlayer for architectural laminated glass, in October 2002. Secure™ technology is based on the fact that DuPont’s SentryGlas® Plus bonds well to a range of materials beyond glass. The engineering properties inherent in the material permit many forms of enhanced performance and reliability to be ‘engineered in’ by forming a positive restraint system. This means that it can be designed to be ‘secured’ to a metal window frame (as an example), thereby becoming a more integral, or hardworking element of an overall very strong and secure glazing system.