D3O’s core technology applies non-Newtonian principles to materials which are engineered for shock absorption. Non-Newtonian materials stiffen on impact to dissipate impact energy and reduce transmitted force, before returning to their flexible state.
How D3O® technologies work:
Nothing protects better than D3O® – which offers the thinnest and most advanced protection against impact.
D3O® materials are made using a combination of advanced polymer chemistry and cutting-edge design. The materials are soft and flexible, with no compromise on comfort, but react differently when force is applied.
D3O® absorbs and dissipates energy during an impact, reducing the amount of force transmitted to your body compared to standard foams.
D3O® materials:
D3O’s material scientists carefully tune polymer blends to achieve specific properties to the final application such as temperature stability, abrasion resistance or flexibility.
Each formulation is developed to meet the specific needs of diverse marketplaces and a wide range of product applications.
Why are D3O® protectors better than hard armour?
D3O® reacts to the unique impact environment: for example, it provides a different level of impact protection at high speeds to low speeds. D3O’s foamed protectors are inherently soft and comfortable to wear under your clothes. Because of their high-performance levels, they can be lower profile and less bulky than competing armour, so more riders prefer to wear it. D3O delivers the most flexible, comfortable and discreet protection on the market and consistently outperforms traditional foam-based protection.
D3O creates specially engineered polymer blends using its patented, patent-pending and proprietary
technologies to create rate-sensitive materials for various applications. The non-Newtonian materials
D3O uses gives the benefit of responding in different ways depending on the speed associated to an
impact. For example, if you are wearing your motorcycle jacket driving along, the D3O® protectors are
soft and flexible and do not hinder your movements; but if you fall off your bike, then the sudden impact
will instantaneously/reversibly stiffen the material which will protect you from the hit. The level of
protection has been engineered to be in accordance with the requirements of the EN1621 standard.
The adoption of D3O technology allows the brands to create a more stealth, comfortable and flexible,
very effective shock absorption end-product. For example, when D3O® is used in motorcycle protection,
the company who makes and sells the motorcycle apparel, to contain the protectors, can manufacture
slimmer, ergonomic jackets and pants without compromising on protection and weight. D3O marries
design freedom with uncompromised protection.
What distinguishes D3O® material from competitors?
In their raw state, D3O® materials flow freely when moved slowly, but on shock, lock together to absorb and disperse energy, before instantly returning to their flexible state. This unique characteristic provides enhanced protection, while providing a versatile and flexible material that can be manufactured using a globally patented technology for a host of shock absorption and impact protection applications.
The counter-intuitive nature of the unique technology means that D3O relies heavily on the expertise to ensure that every product that reaches the market place is ideally suited to the intended application. This in-house capability is a key differentiator between D3O® materials and those of competitors. As an innovations company, D3O has an ever increasing material and product portfolio and benefits from 360 degree capabilities in-house: comprising product development (a team of chemists and material specialists creating newly enhanced polymers, with a design team using these materials to engineer product solutions for customers); advanced testing capabilities; and prototyping facilities (on-site manufacturing capabilities which enable rapid iterative prototyping of D3O developed parts in a range of materials.
Ultimately, the enhanced impact protection solutions from D3O are a combination of material development, product development and testing, to refine and produce the best products on the market.
D3O Test Lab:
As a premium brand and innovator of impact protection and shock absorption solutions, D3O’s in-house testing lab demonstrates the company’s continued commitment to quality, performance, safety and technological leadership.
The D3O in-house lab conducts a wide range of tests and services including material characterisation tests, impact tests and helmet tests (European and NOCSAE Standards).
Fully equipped to analyse materials and products throughout the development process, the D3O test lab has an extended list of the most advanced equipment and procedures to ensure quality, reliability and tractability of data.
D3O collaborates with strategic independent technical partners, including universities and testing houses to verify and certify D3O® developments to ensure the calibration of methods and results and to meet stringent industry standards.
D3O is a Gold Member of leading independent UK test house SATRA and has recently collaborated with Cranfield Impact Centre the UK’s number one independent test centre for F1 and defence.
