2007.04.04

The Dow Corning Active Protection System, a "smart" impact protection textile, will be featured in the launch of a revolutionary new protective ski vest at ispo, the International Trade Show for Sports Equipment and Fashion, this February in Munich, Germany.
The Nirvana Protection Vest, from Swiss sports apparel maker Mammut, incorporates patented Dow Corning Active Protection System fabric as its key component. The fabric, treated with a specially formulated silicone coating, remains soft and flexible under normal conditions. When struck by high-impact force, however, the material instantly becomes rigid to help protect the wearer against injury. Once the impact is over, the material immediately becomes flexible again.
Because it is a textile, this innovative material marks a pioneering advancement in impact protection. It offers a unique combination of features particularly suitable for use in high-performance protective apparel and equipment:
It is very breathable and flexible for outstanding comfort and freedom of movement.
It can be stitched directly into garments, eliminating the need to insert and remove components.
It is less bulky that hard armor, allowing for many creative and fashionable design possibilities.