Kinetic energy absorptive composite article

Abstract

A kinetic energy absorptive composite article comprising a plurality of plies, and a method of manufacturing the kinetic energy absorptive composite article. Each ply comprises a plurality of substantially parallel fibers encapsulated within a resin. A plurality of localised weaknesses are comprised within the fibers of the kinetic energy absorptive composite article, the locations of the plurality of localised weaknesses forming a pre-defined pattern. The pre-defined pattern comprises a first sub-pattern and a second sub-pattern superposed upon the first sub-pattern. The first sub-pattern is configured so that a crack formed by an impact event propagates substantially along a predetermined fracture path to separate the kinetic energy absorptive composite article into at least a first portion and a second portion and the second sub-pattern is configured to set a threshold below which the crack does not propagate.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.