Stronger Helmets Produced with Carbon Fiber Reinforcement

Carbon fiber reinforcement increases the hardness and durability of the helmet's outer shell and enables it to absorb more impact energy over a longer period. A research team from the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (Singapore) at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) has developed a safer bicycle helmet using a combination of composite materials in collaboration with Arkema, a French specialty materials company (Colombes, France). The company states that it provides the same protection as current top-tier helmets, but potentially for mid-tier helmets. The helmet's outer shell is made from Arkema's Elium liquid thermoplastic resin and reinforced with carbon fiber. The helmets are also produced using a molding process developed by the NTU team with Arkema engineers for Elium. Overall, the carbon fiber reinforcement makes the outer shell harder, stiffer and less brittle than a polycarbonate shell. It also increases the helmet's contact time—the total impact duration the helmet experiences when subjected to impact load. Elium® is liquid at ambient temperature and can be molded at room temperature, unlike other thermoplastic-based composite shells that require processing at higher temperatures.

Together, the partners state that these properties allow the outer shell to absorb more impact energy over a longer period and at the same time distribute it evenly across the helmet. This results in less overall force reaching the head and thus reduces the chance of critical injury.

Associate Professor Leong Kah Fai from the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering said, "Our partnership with Arkema stems from a desire to develop a new type of helmet that is stronger and safer for cyclists. Helmets have repeatedly proven to play a critical role in reducing the severity of injuries and death tolls. Our prototype helmet was subjected to a battery of international comparative tests and demonstrated its ability to provide greater protection for cyclists compared to conventional helmets."