Rigid structural and low back face signature ballistic UD/articles and method of making

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9880080-B2
Application number	US-201514695972-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 24, 2015
Priority date	Sep 6, 2011
Publication date	Jan 30, 2018
Grant date	Jan 30, 2018

Abstract

Fabrication of ballistic resistant fibrous composites having improved ballistic resistance properties. More particularly, ballistic resistant fibrous composites having enhanced a dynamic storage modulus, which correlates to low composite backface signature.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method of forming a fibrous composite comprising at least two adjoined fiber layers, each fiber layer comprising fibers having surfaces that are at least partially covered with a polymeric material, wherein said fibers are predominantly free of a fiber surface finish such that said polymeric material is predominantly in direct contact with the fiber surfaces; said composite having a dynamic storage modulus of at least 8.0×10 9 dyn/cm 2 as measured at 25° C. (77° F.), the method comprising:
a) providing a plurality of polymeric fibers having surfaces that are predominantly free of a fiber surface finish;
b) optionally treating the fiber surfaces to enhance adsorbability, bonding or adhesion of a subsequently applied polymeric material to the fiber surfaces;
c) after step b), applying a polymeric material onto at least a portion of said fibers, thereby adsorbing, bonding or adhering the polymeric material on or to the fiber surfaces;
d) after step c), producing a plurality of fiber plies from said fibers either before or after applying said polymeric material to said fibers; and
e) after step d), consolidating said plurality of fiber plies to produce a fibrous composite.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said optional step of treating the fiber surfaces to enhance the surface adsorbability, bonding or adhesion of a subsequently applied polymeric material to the fiber surfaces is conducted.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein step b) is conducted and wherein said treating comprises a plasma treatment or a corona treatment.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said fibers as provided in step a) are washed to at least partially remove a fiber surface finish prior to step a).

5. The method of claim 4 wherein said pre-existing fiber surface finish is removed by washing the fibers with water.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein patches of residual fiber surface finish are present on the fiber surfaces between the fiber surfaces and the polymeric material, wherein at least 90% of the fiber surfaces of each fiber are not covered by the residual fiber surface finish.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein at least one of said fiber layers is formed by weaving a plurality of said fibers into a woven fabric.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein at least one of said fiber layers is formed by arranging a plurality of said fibers into a non-woven fabric.

9. A method of forming a fibrous composite comprising at least two adjoined fiber layers, each fiber layer comprising fibers having surfaces that are at least partially covered with a polymeric material, wherein said fibers are predominantly free of a fiber surface finish such that said polymeric material is predominantly in direct contact with the fiber surfaces; the method comprising:
a) providing a plurality of polymeric fibers having surfaces that are predominantly free of a fiber surface finish;
b) optionally treating the fiber surfaces to enhance adsorbability, bonding or adhesion of a subsequently applied polymeric material to the fiber surfaces;
c) after step b), applying a polymeric material onto at least a portion of said fibers, thereby adsorbing, bonding or adhering the polymeric material on or to the fiber surfaces;
d) after step c), producing a plurality of fiber plies from said fibers either before or after applying said polymeric material to said fibers; and
e) after step d), consolidating said plurality of fiber plies to produce a fibrous composite, said fibrous composite having a dynamic storage modulus that is greater than the dynamic storage modulus of a comparable fibrous composite having fiber surfaces that are predominantly covered with a fiber surface finish wherein such a fiber surface finish is between the fiber surfaces and the polymeric material.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein said optional step of treating the fiber surfaces to enhance the bonding and/or adhesion of a subsequently applied material to the fiber surfaces is conducted.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein step b) is conducted and wherein said treating comprises a plasma treatment or a corona treatment.

12. The method of claim 9 wherein said fibers comprise polyethylene fibers having a tenacity of 20 g/denier or more.

13. The method of claim 9 wherein at least one of said fiber layers is formed by weaving a plurality of said fibers into a woven fabric.

14. The method of claim 9 wherein at least one of said fiber layers is formed by arranging a plurality of said fibers into a non-woven fabric.

Assignees

• Honeywell Int Inc

Inventors

• Tam Thomas Yiu-Tai
• Young John Armstrong
• Moore Ronnie
• Hurst David A

Classifications

• Y10T428/2495

  Thickness [relative or absolute] · CPC title

• F41H1/02 Primary

  Armoured or projectile- or missile-resistant garments; Composite protection fabrics {(F41H5/04 takes precedence)} · CPC title

• B29B13/08

  by using wave energy or particle radiation · CPC title

• G01N33/365

  Filiform textiles, e.g. yarns · CPC title

• G01N3/32

  by applying repeated or pulsating forces · CPC title