When a bomb is found—in an airport, government building, post office, school or anywhere else—effectively containing the explosive can protect hundreds of lives and save countless dollars in property damage. Erie-based Composiflex has developed a bomb containment device (BCD) that is not only cost-effective, it's smaller, lighter and stronger than traditional containment devices.

The external box for Composiflex's bomb containment device is designed to look like a piece of furniture so that it appears inconspicuous when situated in public places.

Composiflex manufactures advanced composite products for the medical, military, aerospace, industrial, ballistic and recreational markets. Their latest foray is a BCD that eliminates the weakest point in traditional containment devices—the door. Composiflex's BCD design is based on a device constructed by Honeywell International. At Honeywell's recommendation, the U.S. Navy awarded Composiflex with a manufacturing contract to build a series of lightweight BCDs.

The inner box of the BCD holds the explosive, and a simple suspended net or false floor centers the bomb in the box. The inner and middle boxes fit neatly together and completely enclose the explosive within the chamber, which is lined with absorbing, fire-suppressing material. An outer box, designed to look like a piece of furniture, fits over the middle box and provides a third blast-resistant ring. The BCD appears inconspicuous when it is situated in public places. Composiflex manufactures BCDs that range in size from 24 cubic inches to 6 cubic feet.

Protecting Civilians in Diverse Environments
Uses for Composiflex's BCD include military, civilian protection, government security applications, mass transportation and airlines/airports, munitions transport and more. The BCD is particularly well suited for airplane protection because it is portable and when used properly, it could contain an explosion within the airplane itself.

Since its inception in 1985, Composiflex has been working with Ben Franklin Technology Partners, which has invested $500,000 in the company.

"It's very difficult to get funding for technological innovation projects because they do have some inherent risks," says Michael Chesley, general manager. "Most banks have become increasingly risk-averse and steer away from investing in these types of projects. Ben Franklin's business and financial support has been imperative to our growth and for the development of products like the BCD. Their mission is tailor-made for helping technology-based companies like Composiflex grow and prosper."

 From the October/November 2007 issue