UD Composite Fiber Surface Preparation for High Lap Shear Strength

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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 surfaces, 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, then fiber cohesiveness and processing ease are improved, but polymeric binder adhesion and interlaminar lap shear strength deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiber processing easeVSAvoidinterlaminar lap shear strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The fiber surface finish is removed before the polymeric binder is applied, preparing the fiber surface in advance to ensure optimal binder adhesion and interlaminar lap shear strength

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The fiber surface finish is extracted or removed from the fiber surface to eliminate the barrier that prevents effective binder adhesion, allowing direct contact between the binder and fiber surface

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If polymeric binder adhesion is insufficient, then fiber delamination occurs, but achieving strong adhesion requires removing fiber surface finish which complicates processing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomposite structural integrityVSAvoidprocessing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fiber surface is prepared in advance by removing the finish before binder application, ensuring reliable adhesion without adding complexity during the bonding process itself

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The surface chemistry parameters of the fiber are changed by removing the finish, transforming the surface from finish-covered to exposed fiber surface, which fundamentally alters the adhesion characteristics

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

allowing direct contact between the polymer and fiber surfaces

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentUS11027501B2High lap shear strength, low back face signature UD composite and the process of making
Publication Date: 2021.06.08 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.