Thermoset Polyurethane Ballistic Armor Chemical Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ballistic resistant materials face chemical degradation from environmental conditions such as water, ozone, and solvents, which can reduce their performance over time, despite providing good initial ballistic protection.

Innovation Solution

A ballistic resistant article is constructed using a laminated configuration of unidirectional fibers in a thermoset polyurethane matrix, where the second layer's fibers are cross-oriented with respect to the first layer, offering improved chemical resistance while maintaining ballistic performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If elastomeric matrices are used in ballistic resistant materials, then good initial ballistic protection is provided, but chemical degradation occurs from environmental conditions such as water, ozone, and solvents over time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveballistic protectionVSAvoidchemical resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the polymer matrix from conventional elastomeric materials to thermoset polyurethane. This parameter change maintains the ballistic protection capability while fundamentally improving resistance to chemical degradation from environmental exposure to water, ozone, and solvents.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a composite material system combining high-strength fibers with thermoset polyurethane matrix. This composite structure leverages the mechanical strength of fibers for ballistic protection while the thermoset polyurethane provides enhanced chemical resistance, resolving the contradiction between initial performance and long-term durability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If unidirectional fibers are arranged in parallel configuration, then ballistic performance is optimized in one direction, but protection is reduced in perpendicular directions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveballistic protection in primary directionVSAvoidmulti-directional protection

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the fiber reinforcement into multiple unidirectional layers, each optimized for a specific direction. By stacking these segmented layers with different orientations, the system achieves comprehensive multi-directional protection while maintaining optimal performance in each individual direction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from single-direction fiber arrangement to multi-layer stacked configuration with varying orientations. This dimensional approach adds angular diversity to the fiber layout, enabling the material to withstand ballistic threats from multiple directions while preserving optimized protection in each principal direction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS11073360B2Ballistic resistant article with thermoset polyurethane matrix

Publication Date: 2021.07.27 BARRDAY

AI summary

A ballistic resistant article includes a first layer that has first unidirectional fibers disposed in a first polymer matrix. The first polymer matrix is composed of a thermoset polyurethane. A second layer is laminated to the first layer. The second layer includes second unidirectional fibers disposed in a second polymer matrix. The second unidirectional fibers are cross-oriented with respect to the first unidirectional fibers.