UD Ballistic Composite Bonding for Low Backface Signature

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Solution Overview

Problem

Ballistic resistant composites face challenges in achieving both superior V50 ballistic performance and low backface signature due to insufficient adhesion of polymeric binder materials, leading to fiber delamination and reduced composite structural properties.

Innovation Solution

Processing fibers to remove a portion of the fiber surface finish, allowing direct contact between the polymer and fiber surface, and applying bond-enhancing treatments to improve interlaminar lap shear strength and fiber-coating adhesion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If fiber surface finish is present to facilitate processing, then ease of manufacture is improved, but adhesion of polymeric binder materials deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidadhesion of polymeric binder materials
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The fiber surface finish is removed before the polymeric binder material is applied, preparing the fiber surface in advance to ensure optimal adhesion. This preliminary action eliminates the barrier that would otherwise prevent direct contact between the binder and fiber, resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and adhesion strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The fiber surface finish is extracted or removed from the fiber surface before binder application. This extraction eliminates the interfering layer that prevents effective adhesion, allowing the polymeric binder to directly contact and bond with the fiber surface, thereby resolving the contradiction between manufacturing ease and bond strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If fiber surface finish is present to reduce static build-up, then reliability of processing is improved, but fiber-binder bond strength deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereliability of processingVSAvoidfiber-binder bond strength
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The fiber surface finish is removed in advance before binder application, ensuring the fiber surface is properly prepared for optimal bonding. This preliminary removal action prevents the finish from interfering with adhesion while maintaining processing reliability through controlled removal methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The fiber surface finish is extracted from the fiber surface to eliminate the barrier preventing direct binder-fiber contact. This extraction resolves the contradiction by removing the static-reducing finish that simultaneously prevents effective bonding, allowing the binder to directly adhere to the fiber surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of manufacture

If polymeric binder material adhesion is insufficient, then ease of application is improved, but composite structural properties deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of applicationVSAvoidcomposite structural properties
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The fiber surface is preliminarily prepared by removing the surface finish before binder application, ensuring optimal adhesion conditions. This preliminary action facilitates easy binder application while simultaneously ensuring strong fiber-binder bonding, resolving the contradiction between ease of application and structural properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The fiber surface finish is extracted to eliminate the barrier preventing effective binder adhesion. This extraction allows the polymeric binder to directly contact and bond with the fiber surface, resolving the contradiction between ease of application and composite structural integrity by removing the interfering layer.

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 fibrous composites with increased interlaminar lap shear strength and reduced backface signature, enhancing the composite's ability to dissipate projectile impact energy and maintain structural integrity.

Implementation Method 1

said polymeric material is predominantly in direct contact with the fiber surfaces

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentUS9023450B2High lap shear strength, low back face signature UD composite and the process of making
Publication Date: 2015.05.05 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 high interlaminar lap shear strength between component fiber plies or fiber layers, which correlates to low composite backface signature. The high lap shear strength, low backface signature composites are useful for the production of hard armor articles, including helmet armor.