All helmets can be made from the following layers
- External shell with rigidity
- Impact-absorbing liner, generally made of expanded polystyrene
- Comfort liner, which ensures that the helmet fits correctly
- Sidecut is a motorcycle helmet
There are 4 main materials used to make helmet shells.
- Plastic/ABS
- Fiberglass
- Carbon fiber
- Kevlar/Dyneema/Aramid
Helmets are made up of two or more of these materials that have been woven together. These are called composite helmets.
Some helmet materials offer better protection than others. Some people can’t afford to spend thousands of dollars on helmets, but others do not need to. No matter what helmet you choose, all helmets meet safety standards that will protect your skull.
Plastic-Based Helmets
There are two main types of plastic materials that can be used for motorcycle helmet construction: thermoplastic or thermoset resin.
Thermoplastic headgear does not need a hardening agent and can be melted down without chemical decomposition.
Thermoset resin helmets need to be hardened.
Plastic helmets offer good flexibility and rigidity but are less strong than woven counterparts. This causes plastic helmet manufacturers to make them heavier and heavier. Plastic helmets can be purchased at a lower cost. Plastic allows the impact force of impact to travel easily through the helmet. This can cause brain damage, so you don’t know where you might hit.
Composite helmets
Composite fiber helmets may be constructed by weaving or crisscrossing various fiber strands. Composite helmets can be made with more materials and labor than plastic ones.
Technically speaking, most helmets consist of composite helmets.
Fiberglass-based Helmets
Fiberglass is extremely lightweight and affordable, making it a great material for creating motorcycle helmets. Fiberglass and carbon fiber will make the lightest helmets.
Fiberglass can be very fragile and shatter upon impact. It is acceptable if the rider does not impact the ground. The impact-absorbing liner compresses and absorbs the impact. The rider could suffer injury if their head hits the ground once more. Fiberglass is best used with other materials in order to make helmets that are safest.
Raw fiberglass
You have likely heard of carbon fiber. It can also be woven in different patterns to achieve the desired look. People love to add carbon fiber to everything. It is used as an addition to motorbike rims or panels.
Carbon Fiber is lightweight, lighter than fiberglass, and more resistant to pressure and compression. These helmets are strong enough to withstand any impact and won’t shatter or crack. Carbon Fiber allows impact forces to be spread across a wider area of helmets, which makes it more effective in absorbing impact. Carbon Fiber is used for racing helmets.
Carbon Fiber is more costly than the other materials used for motorcycle helmets. This can be due to its higher manufacturing and production costs. This is why it is often used with Kevlar and fiberglass.
Kevlar/Dyneema/Aramid
Yes, this is the material used in bulletproof vests. Although they are made differently, don’t expect your helmet to stop a bullet.
Kevlar will also be found in motorcycle jeans. Because it doesn’t tear as easily and is abrasion-proof, it’s ideal for riding down a hill.
Kevlar is actually a brand, similar to Esky. It was developed by DuPont. Kevlar’s base is an aramid fiber weave. This material is used in Kevlar helmets using the same weave techniques as fiberglass and then mixed together with a very strong plastic substance.
Kevlar has strong strength but is weak against compression. Kevlar has a weak compression rate and is therefore often added to carbon fiber helmets.
HJC Helmets are the most used helmets and are one of the most productive product used by the consumers.