Rigid structural and low back face signature ballistic UD/articles and method of making

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Solution Overview

Problem

Ballistic resistant composites face challenges in achieving superior V50 ballistic performance while maintaining low backface signature, as existing fiber surface finishes interfere with polymeric binder adhesion, leading to reduced fiber-fiber bond strength and increased delamination during projectile impacts.

Innovation Solution

Processing fibers to remove a portion of the surface finish, allowing direct contact between the fiber surface and the polymeric binder, thereby enhancing fiber-fiber bonding and improving the dynamic storage modulus of the composite.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If fiber surface finish is applied to reduce static build-up and facilitate processing, then ease of manufacture is improved, but fiber-binder adhesion deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidfiber-binder adhesion
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The fiber surface finish is removed before the polymeric binder is applied to the fibers. This preliminary removal action ensures that the binder can directly contact and adhere to the fiber surface, eliminating the adhesion barrier that the finish would create. The process sequence is specifically designed to perform the removal operation at the appropriate stage before binder application.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The fiber surface finish is extracted or removed from the fiber surface through processing methods such as washing or chemical treatment. This extraction eliminates the harmful layer that prevents binder adhesion, allowing the polymeric binder to directly contact and bond with the fiber surface, thereby resolving the adhesion problem while maintaining the benefits of reduced static build-up.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of operation

If fiber surface finish is present on fibers, then static build-up is reduced, but fiber-fiber bond strength deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestatic controlVSAvoidfiber-fiber bond strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The fiber surface finish is removed before the fibers are consolidated into the composite structure. This preliminary removal ensures that when the fibers are subsequently bonded together, there is direct contact between fiber surfaces, maximizing fiber-fiber bond strength. The timing of the removal operation is critical to achieving both static control and strong bonding.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The fiber surface is modified locally by removing the finish only in the regions where bonding is required, while potentially maintaining other surface properties elsewhere. This localized modification allows the fiber to exhibit different properties at different locations: direct bonding capability where surfaces contact, and retained static control properties in other areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of manufacture

If polymeric binder is applied over fiber surface finish, then fiber processing is facilitated, but binder delamination during impact increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiber processingVSAvoidbinder delamination resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The fiber surface finish is removed before the polymeric binder is applied to the fibers. This preliminary removal action ensures that the binder can directly contact and adhere to the fiber surface, eliminating the adhesion barrier that the finish would create. The process sequence is specifically designed to perform the removal operation at the appropriate stage before binder application.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The fiber surface finish is extracted or removed from the fiber surface through processing methods such as washing or chemical treatment. This extraction eliminates the harmful layer that prevents binder adhesion, allowing the polymeric binder to directly contact and bond with the fiber surface, thereby resolving the adhesion problem while maintaining the benefits of reduced static build-up.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Device complexity

If fiber surface finish interferes with binder adhesion, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but ballistic resistance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing complexityVSAvoidballistic resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The fiber surface finish is removed before the polymeric binder is applied to the fibers. This preliminary removal action ensures that the binder can directly contact and adhere to the fiber surface, eliminating the adhesion barrier that the finish would create. The process sequence is specifically designed to perform the removal operation at the appropriate stage before binder application.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The fiber surface finish is extracted or removed from the fiber surface through processing methods such as washing or chemical treatment. This extraction eliminates the harmful layer that prevents binder adhesion, allowing the polymeric binder to directly contact and bond with the fiber surface, thereby resolving the adhesion problem while maintaining the benefits of reduced static build-up.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 approach results in improved composite structural properties and reduced backface deformation by increasing the dynamic storage modulus and enhancing the energy dissipation of projectile impacts, leading to superior ballistic resistance and lower backface signature.

Implementation Method 1

allowing direct contact between the fiber surface and the polymeric binder, thereby enhancing fiber-fiber bonding

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

enhancing the energy dissipation of projectile impacts, leading to superior ballistic resistance and lower backface signature

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEnergy dissipation: Damping

Data Source

PatentUS9880080B2Rigid structural and low back face signature ballistic UD/articles and method of making
Publication Date: 2018.01.30 SOLSTICE ADVANCED MATERIALS US INC

AI summary

Fabrication of ballistic resistant fibrous composites having improved ballistic resistance properties. More particularly, ballistic resistant fibrous composites having enhanced a dynamic storage modulus, which correlates to low composite backface signature.