Fluorocarbon-Modified Binder for Liquid-Resistant Ballistic Fabrics

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional ballistic resistant materials, particularly soft and flexible ones, suffer from a significant deterioration in ballistic resistance when exposed to liquids such as water and organic solvents, and existing solutions often require protective surface films that add weight and complexity.

Innovation Solution

The use of a fluorine-containing polymeric binder composition, blended with a conventional polymeric matrix component, is applied to high-strength fibers to create ballistic resistant fabrics that maintain superior ballistic resistance even after exposure to liquids, eliminating the need for protective surface films by providing a barrier against water and organic solvents.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If conventional polymeric binder materials are used in flexible ballistic resistant materials, then the materials exhibit excellent ballistic resistance properties, but they show poor resistance to liquids including fresh water, seawater and organic solvents, causing deterioration of ballistic resistance performance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveballistic resistanceVSAvoidresistance to liquids

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite binder system combining a polymeric binder with fluorocarbon resin particles. The polymeric binder provides adhesion and flexibility, while the fluorocarbon resin particles provide liquid resistance. This composite approach allows the material to maintain both ballistic resistance and resistance to deterioration from liquid exposure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The fluorocarbon resin particles are distributed throughout the binder material to provide localized liquid resistance properties. This creates regions within the binder that specifically resist liquid penetration and swelling, while the overall binder matrix maintains its adhesive and flexible properties for ballistic performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If a protective film is applied to fabric surface to enhance water or chemical resistance, then durability and abrasion resistance are improved, but weight is added to the fabric

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater or chemical resistanceVSAvoidfabric weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the protective function into the binder material itself by incorporating fluorocarbon resin particles. This eliminates the need for a separate protective film layer, as the binder provides both adhesion and liquid resistance. The protective properties are integrated into the existing structure rather than added as a separate component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using a separate protective film, the fluorocarbon resin particles create a microscopic protective barrier within the binder matrix. This distributed particle system provides protection without requiring a continuous film layer, thereby minimizing additional weight while maintaining effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Ease of manufacture

If protective film is applied to enhance fabric durability, then abrasion resistance is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional layers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefabric durabilityVSAvoidnumber of layers

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functions into a single binder material by incorporating fluorocarbon resin particles. The binder simultaneously provides adhesion between fibers, flexibility for soft armor applications, and resistance to liquids and abrasion. This multi-functional integration reduces the number of separate layers and components needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The fluorocarbon-modified binder material serves multiple functions: it acts as an adhesive binder, provides liquid resistance, enhances abrasion resistance, and maintains flexibility. This universal material replaces what would traditionally require multiple separate layers or treatments, simplifying the overall structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 fluorine-containing polymeric binder composition significantly enhances the environmental resistance of ballistic resistant fabrics, ensuring greater than 90% retention of ballistic performance after immersion in salt water or gasoline, while maintaining flexibility and resistance to abrasion and wear.

Implementation Method 1

fluorine-containing polymeric binder composition which is resistant to dissolution, penetration and/or transpiration by sea water and resistant to dissolution, penetration and/or transpiration by one or more organic solvents

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrophobic effect: Hydrophobe

Data Source

PatentEP2140222B1Environmentally resistant ballistic composite based on a fluorocarbon-modified binder

Publication Date: 2017.03.15 HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC

AI summary

Ballistic resistant fabrics and articles that retain their superior ballistic resistance performance after exposure to liquids such as sea water and organic solvents, such as gasoline and other petroleum-based products. The fabrics incorporate a fluorine-containing polymeric binder composition and an optional surfactant.