An Australian company is developing revolutionary bullet proof armour that will make delivering and handling money safer.

The CSIRO and Australian company Martial Armour joined forces to create the new panels, with funding from the Department of Industry Science and Technology.

"The new panels will mean that armoured vehicles such as pay trucks could look more like ordinary vehicles, and therefore be less of a target for hold ups," CSIRO scientist, Dr Jonathan Hodgkin says.

Martial Armour recently developed a method of making composite materials more bullet proof by putting various combinations together. Because they were made from standard resins, the panels could only be made flat, restricting their uses.

CSIRO's Division of Chemicals and Polymers has developed a new epoxy resin and a method of 'curing' or hardening it that allows for a panel to be moulded into complex curved shapes.

"By combining CSIRO's new resin system with Martial Armour's strengthening technique we were able to make cost-competitive, stronger, lighter panels that will have a wider range of uses.

"We've even been able to make panels shaped like a very large nose," Dr Hodgkin said.

Martial Armour's General Manager, Bob Breen says that there is strong international interest in the panels, from the US, China and Indonesia.

"We are only starting to explore the full potential of the panels. We are looking at uses in the construction industry, at telecommunication shelters, any cash handling facilities, even boats, as well as armoured vehicles," Mr Breen says.

The team hopes that the new panels will be commercialised late next year. Mr Breen estimates that the market for the panels will be over $300m.

Opportunities for photographs at CSIRO in Clayton, Victoria.

More Information:
Dr Jonathan Hodgkin (CSIRO) (03) 9542 2498 or
Dr Trevor Morton (CSIRO) (03) 9542 2569 or
Mr Bob Breen (General Manager, Martial Armour) (02) 9838 0760