ABSTRACT
Products that are subject to powerful and potentially damaging impacts might require armor. Armor can take the form of a beefed-up outer case—call it an exoskeleton— or an accessory such as a Kevlar® wrap that offers protection against a physical assault. The integrity of wires and tubes can depend on conduits and coverings that might be considered a form of armor. Such armoring can prevent shocks and fires that could otherwise occur if an unprotected wire was chafed by a sharp-edged object or punctured by a drill bit, screw, or nail, for example. The concept of armoring can be extended to materials that protect people against radiation. A common solution is lead shielding, which is used extensively in medical facilities to protect people against X-rays. Dental patients and individuals working in catheterization labs that perform fluoroscopy usually don lead-lined clothing that shields against the penetration of ionizing radiation.
