UD Composite Surface Preparation for Low Backface Signature Armor

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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 the fiber surface, and applying bond-enhancing treatments to improve interlaminar lap shear strength and fiber-coating adhesion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If fiber surface finish is removed to improve polymer-fiber adhesion, then interlaminar lap shear strength increases, but fiber processing difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterlaminar lap shear strengthVSAvoidfiber processing difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The fiber surface finish is removed in advance before the fibers are processed into composite structures. This preliminary surface preparation ensures that when polymeric binder materials are subsequently applied, they achieve optimal adhesion to the fiber surfaces without interference from the finish coating, thereby resolving the contradiction between adhesion strength and processing ease.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If polymeric binder material adhesion is improved, then fiber delamination is reduced, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiber delamination resistanceVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fiber surface finish, which acts as a barrier to adhesion, is extracted or removed from the fiber surfaces. This extraction eliminates the interference caused by the finish coating, allowing polymeric binder materials to adhere directly to the fiber surfaces. Consequently, fiber delamination is reduced without requiring complex manufacturing processes, as the solution lies in simple surface preparation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Stability of the object's composition

If fiber surface finish is present, then fiber cohesiveness is maintained, but polymer-fiber bond strength decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiber cohesivenessVSAvoidpolymer-fiber bond strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The fiber surface finish is removed in advance of the bonding operation. This preliminary action ensures that when polymeric binder materials are applied, they achieve maximum bond strength with the fiber surfaces. The timing of the finish removal before bonding resolves the contradiction by allowing both fiber cohesiveness (maintained through proper handling) and optimal polymer-fiber adhesion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 the fiber surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentUS9821515B2High lap shear strength, low back face signature UD composite and the process of making
Publication Date: 2017.11.21 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.