Do you have any questions ?
+ 33 (0)3 20 23 40 44
contact@imattec.com
Do you have any questions ?
+ 33 (0)3 20 23 40 44
contact@imattec.com
Tibeka Protections, the producer of GASHA bulletproof fabric, started from a simple observation in the study of high-performance materials and their uses, particularly in military personal protection, or more generally, in defense and security : ballistic protections are not very flexible, complex to manufacture, poorly adapted to women and their chests in the case of bulletproof vests, but it is just as complicated when you want to protect a thing with any 3D shape, even more complex, of variable or evolving form! Or, the manufacture of women's ballistic protections remains even more complex and often uncomfortable. In addition, the materials are expensive and difficult to recycle. This is why the GASHA fabric was invented. It is a 3D interlock fabric (TIBEKA patent technology) that takes advantage of the performance of 'kevlar' (Kevlar being a Dupont trademark used in everyday language to describe para aramid fibers). Kevlar polymer is already widely proven in bulletproof vests. With this technology and these high-performance materials, we strive to produce a fabric that can be deformed or molded almost at will, while maintaining all its performance upon impact (firearms, other projectiles, or shocks). This fabric is perfectly suited and ideal for the production of women's bulletproof vests and soft or composite protection with complex 3D shapes (arms, head, shoulders, neck...). It's the one and only simple way to protect any 3D shape against impact.
IMATTEC is the exclusive distributor of modelable anti-impact fabric GASHA - contact us
GASHA = Shield (Ethiopia)
Sommary :
Bulletproof vests or body armors have become essential equipment for law enforcement, the military, and even some civilians exposed to particular risks. Their role is to protect the wearer against ballistic projectiles, explosive fragments, and sometimes stab wounds. But where do these devices come from? How are they manufactured? What are the standards governing their effectiveness? And what happens to a vest once its lifespan has expired? This article sheds light on all these aspects as well as developments in the field.
The idea of protecting oneself from projectiles is not new. Since Antiquity, warriors used breastplates, made of leather, sheet metal, chainmail, or metal plates. However, the appearance of firearms quickly made these protections obsolete. It was not until the beginning of the 20th century that modern forms of bulletproof vests began to appear. During the First and Second World Wars, attempts were made to protect soldiers with more or less flexible equipment, generally based on steel plates, sometimes articulated (protections such as the Sappenpanzer on the German side or the Heslouin bulletproof plate for the French Poilus during the Great War). Often ineffective due to the small surface area covered or their fragility in the face of new weapons, and uncomfortable because of the weight and poorly suited to mobile warfare. The real turning point came in the 1970s with the invention of Kevlar by DuPont. This polymer, with its exceptional ballistic properties, made it possible to create lightweight and durable vests, laying the foundation for modern equipment. In the 1980s-1990s, Honeywell and DSM (Dutch State Mines) invented and produced Spectra and Dyneema (UHMWPE) respectively, which are now widely used in ballistic protection (bullet-proof waistcoats, cockpit doors, helmets, etc.) as well as in ropes and other cut-resistant applications.
A brief comparison of bulletproof vests from 1916 to 2025 :
It is produced in painted steel sheet 5 to 7mm thick.
Weight : +/-8 à 10kg
Many disadvantages : its weight, its rigidity, probably very hot in summer and very cold in winter, the weapon cannot be shouldered for shooting (the stock sliding on the steel plate with recoil), hence the development of a second later type with a small plate added to the armor allowing the firearm to be shouldered. Low effectiveness against point-blank firearm shots, better protection against shell fragments.
The modern bulletproof body armors NIJ STD 0101.06 :
Norm : NIJ IIIA
Materials : para aramid Twaron, Kevlar and/or UHMWPE (Spectra, Dyneema...)
Weight : 2.5 à 3.5kg
Advantages : soft, light, discreet
Military norms : NIJ III ou VI
Materials : composed of flexible materials (Kevlar, Twaron, UHMWPE Spectra, Dyneema, etc.) and ceramic and/or composite plates.
Poids : 6 à 10kg
Advantages : integrate other protections (neck, shoulders, etc.), the plates are removable (system evolving according to threats).
2025 : market launch of GASHA, bulletprof fabric, unique possibility to simply develop a 3D shape for women's body armors
Bulletproof vests are made of several materials, depending on the desired level of protection and the positions of the layers in the ballistic or tactical vest:
- Para aramid fibers (otherwise all sometimes incorrectly called "kevlar" - Dupont trademark):
Kevlar®: Highly tensile, it is lightweight and flexible, an American fiber produced by Dupont in the 1970s.
Twaron®: A European alternative to Kevlar, with similar properties, manufactured by Teijin (a Japanese company).
- High-performance polyethylene fibers (HPPE or UHMWPE or UHMPE)
Example: Dyneema®, Spectra®. Lighter than Kevlar, they offer excellent resistance to gunfire.
- Ceramics: Used in rigid plates inserted into vests (high level of protection).
Common materials: aluminum oxide, boron carbide, silicon carbide. Allows the stopping of military-caliber firearm fire.
- Metals: Formerly used, now reserved for very specific ballistic contexts (e.g., titanium or ballistic steel plates).
- Resins, gels, and foams: Other additional materials can be used in the composition of ballistic plates to bond, stiffen, or reduce what is called ballistic "trauma."
Note that technical fibers can be used in what is called 'UD' (Uni-Directional), which are filaments of highly technical fibers arranged parallel, in a single direction, and bonded in sheets to each other or to a support. The sheets are then superimposed at different angles to obtain optimal strength in the chosen directions. But also in meshes, or fabrics, pre-impregnated or not, glued or sewn, thermoformed...
The term "ballistic trauma", in the context of bulletproof vests or stab-resistant vests, refers to an injury or lesion caused by the impact of a projectile, even when the bullet from a firearm does not pierce the tactical vest. When a bullet strikes a bulletproof vest, the energy of the impact is absorbed and distributed over the surface of the protective materials. But the energy of the bullet does not disappear: it is partially transmitted to the wearer's body, which can cause internal injuries, called "blunt trauma" or "back trauma." Even if the vest stops the bullet from the firearm, the ballistic impact can cause: significant bruising, broken ribs, pulmonary contusions, internal organ damage (in extreme cases), and at best, severe pain. During ballistic shooting tests, laboratories measure the "depth of deformation" on a material simulating the human torso (such as ballistic clay or Plastiline). According to the NIJ standard, for example, the most widely used, this depth must not exceed 44mm for a protective vest to be certified by the American standard NIJ STD 0101.06.
There are several international standards for evaluating the performance of bulletproof vests:
- NIJ (National Institute of Justice – United States) STANDARD 0101.06: This is the most widespread standard about body armors, declines in several levels:
- Body armors European Standards (VPAM, HOSDB):
Each standard specifies the calibers of ammunition tested, the velocity of the firearms projectiles, and the test conditions (temperature, humidity, firing distance, etc.).
Lifetime : Generally, a bulletproof vest has a lifespan of 5 to 10 years, depending on the manufacturer, use, and environment. The materials that make up a bulletproof vest can degrade over time, especially with prolonged exposure to heat, humidity, or UV rays.
Recycling and End of Life: Recycling bulletproof vests is challenging due to the complexity and multiplicity of their component materials. They can be destroyed in a controlled manner to prevent illegal reuse and/or partially reused (sports, industry, automotive, etc.) as fibers or ground to remake high-performance composites. Numerous studies and inter-company consortiums are being created, and collection and transformation channels are emerging with the aim of improving the recyclability of these often quite expensive high-performance materials.
Ten years ago, in 2015, the French Army had nearly 16% female personnel in its ranks, with a higher proportion in the Gendarmerie. Since then, the increase in the presence of women, including combatants, has been steady. By 2025, the female presence will be nearly 20% in the ranks of the Armed Forces and the Gendarmerie. Although statistics are incomplete, the same observation is made (or even higher rates) for the National French Police. Naturally, it goes without saying that the level of protection for female personnel must not differ from that of male personnel, and equipment must be adapted to both sexes so that the comfort associated with using personal protective equipment is no more bothersome for one than for the other. Ballistic protection in particular must evolve with these trends, which is why we offer innovative solutions such as GASHA ballistic fabric.
Faced with the ecological challenge, manufacturing cost reductions, the potential need for simplification and mass production of equipment, and, as we have seen, the increasing number of women in defense and security personnel, Tibeka Protections has developed the first 100% para-aramid Twaron® 3D interlock fabric (fibers produced in Europe - Kevlar equivalent). This product is exclusively distributed by IMATTEC, which participates in the preparation of the yarns in Tourcoing (Nord), then woven in Caudry (Nord).
Preserved performance: This exceptional fabric, with high mechanical performance thanks to aramid (as Kevlar or Twaron), is resistant to impact, cuts, abrasion, heat, etc., even when formed into complex 3D shapes. It has many uses, not limited to bulletproof vests. Indeed, the complex 3D shaping of this fabric is possible for the head or an other part of body (helmet, shield, neck, shoulders, etc.) as well as for any other object, up to large surfaces that need to be protected from impacts (ballistic covers, bulletproof tarpaulins...).
This fabric can be incorporated into a wide variety of products that have to withstand impact, in the ballistic environment alone. Its strength lies in its adaptability, because depending on the profession (police, gendarmerie, private security, special forces, civil or military applications, etc.) the requirements are not the same. Depending on the areas to be protected and their shapes, or depending on what is being protected (goods or people), but also depending on the defence and security sectors, the type of intervention. This fabric can be integrated into bullet-proof or tactical waistcoats, rigid or flexible plates, shields, tarpaulins, etc. alone or combined with other elements (resins, gels, aramid or polyethylene UD, etc. with or without protection against blades, etc.) everything is possible! A choice ally in the design of protection for complex, diverse or... evolving!
Simplified manufacturing: GASHA is an "interlock" fabric; it essentially contains several layers in one (see details below). Fewer pleats (layers) are required for the same level of performance, and the product's deformability limits the number of fabrications, stacking, and stitching. This results in a product that is simpler to design and produce, and potentially more flexible and comfortable. It is therefore an ideal ally for simplifying equipment and mass-market needs.
Improved recyclability: Shaping is achieved through purely mechanical deformation, and the product remains in its shape until the fabric is deformed again in the same way. No resin or thermoforming is required to maintain it, resulting in a clear ecological gain. However, if you want to stiffen the fabric or fix its shape, that's obviously possible! but little resin is needed, in addition to saving time and costs (components + labor, energy, etc.), recyclability is significantly improved and that's better for the planet. A choice ally in the context of more reasoned eco-design.
General datas :
General Technical Datas :
General mechanical datas :
NIJ STD 0101.06 ballistic test data :
Firearms firing tests conducted on 8 layers under deformed NIJ IIIA conditions (convex "female breast" shape). Shots at 5m with 9mm and .44MAG in critical areas = no bullet perforation, ballistic trauma less than 44mm.
Contact us for more technical information on NIJ STANDARD 0101.06 ballistic tests performed on GASHA fabric. You can also get advice and explore the possibilities offered by GASHA bulletproof fabric.
The morphological differences between men and women are well established, particularly when it comes to the design of suitable ballistic protection. In sectors such as defense, public security (police, gendarmerie), and private security, where female personnel are increasingly present, the adaptation of personal protective equipment (PPE) is becoming essential. Among this equipment, bulletproof vests must be effective while ensuring optimal comfort. Traditionally, bulletproof vests have a standard shape, often poorly compatible with the female body. Women are then forced to use vests designed for men, offering little comfort and reducing the effectiveness of the protection. In some cases, ballistic equipment specific to women is created, but this involves complex and cumbersome manufacturing processes, and a compromise on protective performance. Indeed, the shape of the female torso can affect the trajectory of projectiles, making it necessary to have protection that takes into account the angle of penetration of bullets, particularly at the chest.
GASHA ballistic fabric, developed by Tibeka Protections, overcomes these challenges. Thanks to its patented 3D interlock weave structure, the fabric can be shaped to perfectly adapt to the female figure, particularly around the chest, but also in general and mixed areas outside the bust with specific body shapes (shoulders, neck, head, arms etc.), without creating creases or compromising ballistic performance. This innovation guarantees optimal protection, even against oblique trajectory impacts.
Morphological adaptability : Flexible design for a personalized and adaptable fit. Examples: feminine shapes and complex shapes of various areas of the human body in general (neck, head, shoulders, etc.)
Maximum protection performance : Maintains ballistic integrity even when molded (for goods to be protected and PPE for people).
Comfort and efficiency: A no-compromise solution, offering both comfort and high-performance protection against projectiles.
GASHA is THE ideal solution to guarantee the safety and comfort of your teams, including female staff, while meeting the requirements of high-risk environments in terms of ballistic protection and high security. And it's the only solution for simply protecting against impacts any 3D shape.
Note: GASHA aramid (as Kevlar) bulletproof fabric can also be used in combination/addition with your existing solution either to boost its mechanical characteristics, modify its ballistic impact behaviour, soften, lighten, simplify...
It's a weave (warp and weft) where the threads are interwoven over several layers, giving the fabric high mechanical strength (many threads per layer) and significant impact absorption power, while maintaining relatively good flexibility. The technology used to weave GASHA's deformable ballistic fabric is patented.
This interlock structure allows several fabrics to be combined into a single layer, thus making a bulletproof vest sometimes requires (depending on the technology and stacking) 20-30 layers of fabric! This makes it much easier.
Ecologically speaking, GASHA also stands out: there's no need for a high resin content to maintain a complex shape, and little or no resin (depending on the use) is required, which significantly simplifies the separation of the components of ballistic PPE.
Beyond its enhanced ballistic performance, GASHA fabric can be used (resin-coated or not, coated or not) for a wide range of other applications requiring high mechanical and thermal performance (impact, cuts, abrasion, traction, fire, heat, etc.).
Cut: vandal-proof protective fabric, seat, cut-resistant gloves or PPE, etc.
Impact (ballistic or not): covers, helmets, shields, shin guards, arm protections, agricultural machinery (projected stones or other projectiles), ballistic protective tarpaulin or cover, lightweight and flexible armor, vehicle accessories, protection of property or people (particularly well-suited to the manufacture of basic women's protection), shooting ranges, protection of dangerous or sensitive loads, etc.
Abrasion/tearing/traction: motorcycle or motorsports protective equipment in general, tires, conveyor belts, various composites, etc.
Thermal: fire barrier, flame protection tarpaulin, PPE, etc.
IMATTEC can provide you with much more than an additional layer in the development of your ballistic product. We offer a wide range of cut-resistant, abrasion-resistant, thermally insulating, IR-reflective fabrics, and comfort interface layers for your tactical and ballistic vest designs. We also offer a Smart Textiles design service if you wish to functionalize your impact protection, whatever it may be (wearer monitoring, RFID, visual effects, various measurements, extended lifespan, etc.). Ask us! We are at your disposal.
We thanks le Musée Ligne Hindenburg/Hindenburg line museum for information about history of bulletproof vests present on this page.