High kinetic energy absorption with low back face deformation ballistic composites
AssigneeHoneywell International Inc.
InventorsAshok Bhatnagar, Gary Kratzer, Charles Arnett, David A. Hurst, Steven Thomas Correale
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Abstract
Viscoelastic, lightweight composite armor that is resistant to backface deformation, and to a method for evaluating the effectiveness of composite armor in resisting backface deformation. The index of retraction of a composite is determined by evaluating the degree of composite retraction at the site of impact of projectile after movement of the projectile is stopped. The degree of retraction indicates the ability of the composite to resist backface deformation.
Claims11
A viscoelastic, deflection resistant fibrous composite panel comprising a consolidated plurality of non-woven fibrous plies, each of said non-woven fibrous plies comprising a plurality of fibers having a tenacity of at least 35 g/denier and said fibers having surfaces that are greater than 50% free of a fiber surface finish, wherein the fibers of said fibrous composite are coated with a viscoelastic binder material that comprises a polyurethane having a modulus of elasticity of 400 MPa to 2000 MPa, wherein said binder is bonded to the fiber surfaces, and wherein the composite has an index of retraction of at least 17% when impacted by a projectile having sufficient kinetic energy to cause a deflection of the panel at its impact site.
A viscoelastic, deflection resistant fibrous composite panel comprising a consolidated plurality of non-woven fibrous plies, each of said non-woven fibrous plies comprising a plurality of fibers having a tenacity of at least 35 g/denier and said fibers having surfaces that are greater than 50% free of a fiber surface finish, wherein the fibers of said fibrous composite are coated with a viscoelastic binder material, wherein said binder is bonded to the fiber surfaces, and wherein the composite has an index of retraction of at least 17% when impacted by a projectile having sufficient kinetic energy to cause a deflection of the panel at its impact site, and wherein the viscoelastic binder material comprises a polyurethane having a modulus of elasticity of from 400 MPa to 2000 MPa, a tensile strength in the range of 10 to 100 MPa, and elongation at failure in the range of 30% to 400% at a temperature between 0° and 60° C. and at a relative humidity of between 0% and 100%.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.