Smart padding system utilizing an energy absorbent medium and articles made therefrom

An impact energy absorbent medium comprising at least one polymer which has energy absorbing properties and dilatant viscoelastic flow properties, and a lubricant;

• wherein the medium is a highly viscous fluid which;
• does not exhibit flow at room temperature unless a force is applied;
• and
• wherein the at least one polymer and lubricant are selected from the group consisting of:
• polyborosiloxane and grease,
• polyborosiloxane and fatty acid,
• polyborosiloxane and fatty acid salts,
• xanthan gum and silicone oil,
• guar gum and silicone oil, and
• polyvinyl alcohol sodium tetraborate and silicone oil, characterized in that the medium includes a quantity of fibrous filler and further wherein said fibrous filler is a fibrous material wettable by either the polymer or the lubricant or both.

An impact energy absorbent medium comprising at least one polymer which has energy absorbing properties and dilatant viscoelastic flow properties, and a lubricant;

• wherein the at least one polymer and lubricant are selected from the group consisting of:
• polyborosiloxane and grease,
• polyborosiloxane and fatty acid,
• polyborosiloxane and fatty acid salts,
• xanthan gum and silicone oil,
• guar gum and silicone oil, and
• polyvinyl alcohol sodium tetraborate and silicone oil, characterized in that the medium is a highly viscous fluid which does not exhibit flow at room temperature unless a force is applied, and which includes up to about 90% by weight of a quantity of fibrous filler and further wherein said fibrous filler is a fibrous material wettable by either the polymer or the lubricant or both.

A method for forming an impact energy absorbent medium comprising the step of blending at least one polymer which has energy absorbing properties and dilatant viscoelastic flow properties with a lubricant;

• wherein the at least one polymer and lubricant are selected from the group consisting of:
• polyborosiloxane and grease,
• polyborosiloxane and fatty acid,
• polyborosiloxane and fatty acid salts,
• xanthan gum and silicone oil,
• guar gum and silicone oil, and
• polyvinyl alcohol sodium tetraborate and silicone oil, characterized in that the medium is a highly viscous fluid which does not exhibit flow at room temperature unless a force is applied, and which includes up to about 90% by weight of a quantity of fibrous filler and further wherein said fibrous filler is a fibrous material wettable by either the polymer or the lubricant or both.

An impact energy absorbent medium comprising at least one polymer which has energy absorbing properties and dilatant viscoelastic flow properties, and a lubricant;

• wherein the medium is a highly viscous fluid which;
• does not exhibit flow at room temperature unless a force is applied;
• and
• wherein one of the polymer and the lubricant is an organic substance, and wherein the other of the polymer and the lubricant is a silicone substance, characterized in that the medium includes a quantity of fibrous filler and further wherein said fibrous filler is a fibrous material wettable by either the polymer or the lubricant or both.