Armco Barrier

An Armco barrier is a steel safety barrier made from corrugated metal sheets that protects drivers and spectators during racing crashes by absorbing impact energy and redirecting vehicles.

The name "Armco" comes from the American Rolling Mill Company, which first developed this type of steel barrier in the early 1900s. Even though this company no longer makes these barriers, the Armco name stuck and is now used for all similar steel crash barriers in motorsport.

These barriers work by flexing and bending when a race car hits them at high speed. The corrugated (wavy) design of the steel allows the barrier to absorb much of the crash energy, which reduces the violent forces that would otherwise be transferred to the driver. This flexibility helps prevent serious injuries during accidents.

Armco barriers don't just absorb impact - they also redirect cars back toward the track when hit at certain angles. This prevents vehicles from flying off into spectator areas or other dangerous zones around the circuit. The barriers are mounted on posts spaced at specific distances to provide the right amount of give during impacts.

You'll see Armco barriers lining the edges of most Formula 1 tracks and other racing circuits, especially in high-risk areas where cars are traveling at top speeds. Race engineers strategically place these barriers in locations where crashes are most likely to occur or where the consequences would be most severe.

Modern safety improvements have led to modifications like taller barriers to prevent cars from going over or under them, and the addition of tire barriers in front of Armco sections for extra cushioning. Some tracks now combine Armco barriers with newer technologies like SAFER barriers, which use foam-backed steel tubes for even better energy absorption.

Beyond motorsport, you'll also find Armco barriers protecting highways, parking lots, and industrial areas where vehicle impact protection is needed.