New steel for armour

The MOD’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) worked in collaboration with Cambridge University and QinetiQ to develop this unique product. Unlike conventional steels, the composition of Super Bainite was derived from first principles using thermodynamic modelling techniques. This allowed its processing, properties and cost to be optimised in months rather than years.

Whilst other armour steels need to be quenched and tempered, Super Bainite develops its properties by a completely new, low temperature mechanism called isothermal hardening. This enables ultra-high levels of hardness to be achieved without having to use expensive alloying additions.

Peter Brown, Dstl scientist says “Due to the unique process by which we have developed this new armour, Super Bainite is able to match the ballistic performance of the very best off-shore armour steels for a fraction of their cost.”

In short, it's all in how the steel is processed.

Source: MoD and as cited