Side Guard
Rubber and metal side guards or covers are used in protective and defense technology as flexible track covers to divert dirt, water, stones and shrapnel away from the sides of the track assembly, as well as to dampen noise and vibrations. They offer protection against mechanical impacts, gunfire and shrapnel and are used primarily on heavily armored tracked vehicles. They protect vehicle components, increase operational safety and ensure reliable performance under extreme conditions.
Area of application
Rubber and metal side guards or covers are used in protective and military technology, mounted directly along the sides of the track assembly on tracked vehicles such as infantry, combat, engineer and recovery tanks. They are mounted on the vehicle hull between the upper and lower tracks to shield against debris, stones, water and shrapnel ejected from the sides. In urban environments, they also protect infrastructure, escort vehicles and personnel from flying gravel. Versions with vulcanized metal inserts are used primarily on heavily armored vehicles, while rubber variants are used mainly in applications where mobility and noise levels are critical.
Technical details
Side guards or covers are technically made of highly abrasion-resistant elastomers, often constructed in multiple layers and reinforced with textile or steel cord inserts or steel plates. This construction ensures high tear strength, dimensional stability, resistance to impact and temperature resistance. They are flexibly mounted, modularly bolted together and designed to absorb and dissipate vibrations, stone impacts and debris from the sides of the track assembly. Their technical design is optimized for maximum structural stability, resistance to impact and shrapnel and protection of vehicle components under extreme operating conditions.
Characteristics
Rubber and metal side covers or guards are characterized by high flexibility, effective energy and vibration damping, noise reduction and resistance to impact and external influences. They are largely resistant to damage and are suitable for reducing dirt and stone ejection. Side covers offer excellent mechanical strength, high resistance to splintering and penetration, as well as resistance to extreme temperatures and continuous stress. They enhance the protection of the track assembly and adjacent components and contribute significantly to operational reliability and system service life in defense and military technology.