High strength, ballistic resistant composites

A ballistic resistant article comprising at least one consolidated network of high strength fibers in a thermoplastic matrix material comprising a thermoplastic polyurethane, the high strength fibers having a tenacity of at least about 7 g/d, a tensile modulus of at least about 150 g/d and an energy-to-break of at least about 8 J/g, wherein prior to consolidation the matrix material consists essentially of an aqueous solution of monomers, said monomers comprising an aliphatic diisocyanate and a polyol, said polyurethane matrix material being derived from the aliphatic diisocyanate and the polyol and having a tenacity of about 1300 to 1900 psi (8970 to 13110 kPa), a tensile modulus (at 100% elongation) of about 190 to 250 psi (1311 to 1725 kPa), a tensile modulus (at 300% elongation) of about 375 to 450 psi (2587 to 3105 kPa), a T.sub.g of less than about 80.degree. C., and an elongation-to-break of at least about 650 to 1000%.

A prepreg element comprising at least two consolidated adjacent layers of a network of high strength fibers in a thermoplastic matrix material comprising a thermoplastic polyurethane, the high strength fibers having a tenacity of at least about 7 g/d, a tensile modulus of at least about 150 g/d and an energy-to-break of at least about 8 J/g, wherein prior to consolidation the matrix material consists essentially of an aqueous solution of monomers, said monomers comprising an aliphatic diisocyanate and a polyol, said aliphatic diisocyanate comprising a combination of a hexamethylene diisocyanate and an isophorone diisocyanate, said polyol comprising a polyester polyol, said polyurethane matrix material being derived from the aliphatic diisocyanate and the polyol.

A prepreg element comprising at least two consolidated adjacent layers of a network of high strength fibers in a thermoplastic matrix material comprising a thermoplastic polyurethane, the high strength fibers having a tenacity of at least about 7 g/d, a tensile modulus of at least about 150 g/d and an energy-to-break of at least about 8 J/g, wherein prior to consolidation the matrix material consists essentially of an aqueous solution of monomers, said monomers comprising an aliphatic diisocyanate and a polyol, said polyurethane matrix material being derived from the aliphatic diisocyanate and the polyol, said polyurethane matrix material having a tenacity of about 1300 to 1900 psi (8970 to 13110 kPa), a tensile modulus (at 100% elongation) of about 190 to 250 psi (1311 to 1725 kPa), a tensile modulus (at 300% elongation) of about 375 to 450 psi (2587 to 3105 kPa), a T.sub.g of less than about 80.degree. C., and an elongation-to-break of at least about 650 to 1000%.