A PARTNERSHIP between Tata Steel and the Ministry of Defence (MoD) will see the steel firm produce a newly-invented armour plating which could save the lives of British troops.
Known as super bainite, the armour steel, invented and developed in the UK, offers up to twice the protection to armoured vehicles of “normal” steel armour.
The Ministry of Defence has signed a licensing agreement with Tata Steel, which employs more than 1,800 North-East workers, to manufacture super bainite.
The steel will be turned into seven items, including armour plating that could be used on future frontline armoured vehicles.
Dr Paul Davies of Tata Steel, which developed the steel in partnership with the MoD’s science and technology laboratory, said: “Tata Steel has spent significant effort developing this unique product and we are delighted with its performance.”
Defence Minister Peter Luff said: “This demonstrates, once again, that investing in research and development, in partnership with industry, means that our troops can have the latest innovations in frontline equipment.”
The invention, which was showcased at the Defence and Security Equipment International exhibition, is likely to be produced at Tata Steel’s plant in Port Talbot, South Wales. Traditionally, steel is covered with water to get it to room temperature quickly before structural weaknesses can form, but with super bainite, a whole variety of cooling methods, such as air or molten salt, are used throughout production, giving it extra hardness.
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