Goleta, CA, Sept. 22—A California company has developed and patented a line of ceramic tiles which look pretty -- and can withstand a hail of AK-47 bullets, according to the Santa Barbara News-Press.
The toughness is critical because these tiles are intended for areas which could potentially come under fire: police and fire departments, courthouses and government offices, airports, corporate offices and even some high-end residences.
The tiles are developed by Engineered Security Solutions, a division of The Lewis Group, located on North Kellogg Avenue.
Chief Executive Officer Wayne Lewis said ESS, working in conjunction with laboratories in Canada and New Mexico, has developed a method of applying artistic glazes over ceramic armor.
Mr. Lewis, who anticipates brisk sales, says the tiles can be customized with any artistic design requested by the end user.
"The 4-inch by 4-inch by 1-inch tiles will defeat almost all shoulder or hand-held ballistic weapons systems including the prolific 7.5mm rounds from the AK-47," Mr. Lewis said.
The Lewis Group, specialists in security, counterterrorism measures and the safety of personnel and property, says ESS has also just inked an agreement with Houston-based Cudd, a leading oil and gas field pressure maintenance and well-fire suppression company.
The two have agreed to jointly develop and market counterterrorism threat assessments, designs and materials for the protection of the world's largest oil and gas fields and associated transportation systems such as pipelines and terminals.
