Ballistic Resistant Material Using Aggregate and Elastomer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional ballistic protection measures are heavy, bulky, and difficult to assemble in the field, necessitating a lightweight and compact material for both static and mobile applications.
Innovation Solution
A composite material system comprising an aggregate bound by an elastomer, such as rocks encapsulated in a hyper-elastic polymer like polyurethane, which converts projectile kinetic energy into damage and thermal energy through frictional heating, effectively defeating high-speed projectiles by generating shock waves, erosion, and tumbling effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional barriers (steel, concrete, dirt, gravel) are used for ballistic protection, then protection effectiveness is improved, but weight and bulk increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials consisting of an aggregate (such as crushed rock, gravel, or sand) bound together by a binder (such as cement, epoxy, or polymer). This composite structure provides ballistic protection through the combined effects of the aggregate particles (which disrupt and fragment projectiles) and the binder (which holds the aggregate together and absorbs energy), achieving effective protection with significantly reduced weight and bulk compared to traditional solid barriers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs aggregate particles of varying sizes and shapes distributed throughout the barrier material. The local quality varies at different scales: individual aggregate particles provide localized projectile disruption, while the overall composite structure provides distributed energy absorption. This local quality variation allows the material to effectively defeat projectiles while maintaining a lighter, more compact overall structure.
2Reliability
If traditional barriers (steel, concrete, dirt, gravel) are used for ballistic protection, then protection effectiveness is improved, but ease of assembly and portability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the ballistic barrier into discrete, modular units or panels that can be easily transported and assembled. Each module contains the aggregate-binder composite material in a standardized format, allowing for rapid deployment in the field. This segmentation maintains protection effectiveness while dramatically improving portability and assembly ease compared to traditional monolithic barriers.
Solution Approach 2:
The composite material structure (aggregate bound by binder) inherently provides a modular, panelizable form factor that is easier to handle and assemble than traditional concrete or earth barriers. The binder holds the aggregate in stable, transportable configurations that can be quickly installed without requiring heavy machinery or complex construction procedures.
3Reliability
If traditional barriers (steel, concrete, dirt, gravel) are used for ballistic protection, then protection effectiveness is improved, but material quantity and volume increase
Solution Approach 1:
The aggregate-binder composite structure achieves equivalent or superior ballistic protection with significantly reduced material volume compared to traditional barriers. The aggregate particles (occupying most of the volume) provide projectile disruption, while the binder (occupying minimal volume) provides structural integrity and energy absorption. This efficient material utilization reduces the overall quantity and volume of protective material needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The composite material structure inherently contains void spaces between aggregate particles, creating a porous architecture that reduces density and volume. This porosity allows the material to maintain protection effectiveness while occupying less space and requiring fewer total materials compared to solid, non-porous traditional barriers.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The composite material system provides effective protection against high-speed projectiles by converting kinetic energy into damage and thermal energy, reducing the impact of projectiles while being lightweight and easily assembled, making it suitable for various applications.
Implementation Method 1
converts projectile kinetic energy into damage and thermal energy through frictional heating
Implementation Method 2
effectively defeating high-speed projectiles by generating shock waves, erosion, and tumbling effects
Implementation Method 3
an elastomer, such as rocks encapsulated in ahyper-elastic polymer like polyurethane
Data Source
AI summary
A composite material system having an aggregate bound by an elastomer encapsulant. The composite material (CM) is designed to defeat impinging projectiles by converting the kinetic energy (KE) in the projectile to damage in the aggregate and the elastomer and increasing the thermal energy in the CM and the projectile via frictional heating. In one embodiment, the CM comprises certain kinds of rocks encapsulated (or bound) in a hyper-elastic polymer, such as polyurethane (“PU”). The CM may be shaped into convenient shapes from modular assembly to create a ballistic resistant surface.