The U.S. Army, in cooperation with Berry Plastics Corp have developed a blast-proof adhesive tape, designed to hold together buildings during an explosion to reduce shrapnel injuries and debris hazards during armed conflicts.

The peel-and-stick tape is made from a polymer composite, which is laced with reinforcing fibers to absorb the shock of a blast. Application is straightforward, much like contact adhesive, requiring only that the surface be free from dust and dirt. Fasteners are also used as a contingency at the top and bottom to make sure the tape remains in place during an explosion.

The X-FLEX is designed to be used on the interior face of external walls to protect a building’s occupants, which could also be installed covertly during a conflict. Urban areas prone to earthquakes or other natural disasters may also benefit from the tape as a permanent fixture once it has been commercialized.

Products such as Protomax’s lightweight plastic bulletproof panels could be used to erect new protected buildings for troops or civilians, but the X-FLEX has the advantage of speed. It can be used to retrofit existing structures and a two man team can apparently cover a 10-by-10-foot wall in minutes.

Sources:
Berry Plastics (Press Release) and Scientific American