Project Overview
Queensland Corrective Services required a durable and self-sealing rubber material to improve safety at their firearms training facility in Queensland, Australia. The material would be used as bullet-resistant splash curtains mounted to their outdoor target frames to control projectile fragmentation and ricochet.
Challenge
At the Queensland Corrective Services firing range, a key safety issue was the fragmentation and potential ricochet of bullets after striking the ammunition trap. Standard materials used in the target frames failed to contain fragmentation effectively, posing risks to personnel. Additionally, because the training range was outdoors, the material needed to withstand weathering and UV exposure without degrading.
The solution needed to:
- Prevent bullet fragments from rebounding toward shooters
- Self-seal after bullet penetration to maintain integrity
- Withstand continuous outdoor exposure without hardening, cracking, or perishing
- Be soft enough to absorb energy but strong enough to resist tearing
Solution: Reglin premium 40 Duro black rubber splash curtains installed onto target frames
Reglin supplied their premium-grade Natural 40 HG Rubber Sheet , specifically chosen for its excellent physical properties and UV resilience. This rubber was used to fabricate splash curtains that were mounted in front of bullet traps on steel-framed target stands.
The rubber offered high tensile strength and superior elongation, which allowed it to absorb the energy of bullets while self-healing after each shot. As the bullet passed through, the curtain quickly closed back over the entry point, preventing visible holes from forming and maintaining a continuous barrier.
By installing these rubber curtains:
- Bullet fragments were successfully prevented from escaping the trap area
- The rubber maintained its flexibility and sealing ability over many cycles
- Safety for shooters was significantly improved
- The black pigmentation provided enhanced UV resistance, extending outdoor service life
UV Resistance of Black Rubber
While Natural Rubber typically offers limited UV stability, the inclusion of carbon black in the compound during manufacture gives the sheet its colour but also gives it significantly improved resistance to sunlight and ozone degradation. This pigmentation slows down the rate of oxidation and protects the rubber from becoming brittle when exposed to outdoor conditions.
Outcome
The installation of Reglin’s 40 Duro Natural Rubber splash curtains provided a simple yet highly effective safety upgrade to the firing range. The target frames remain fully operational after extended use, and the Queensland Corrective Services team now has a long-term solution that reduces maintenance, enhances safety, and performs reliably in harsh outdoor conditions.