Viscoelastic Composite Armor Backface Deformation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing composite armor materials face challenges in effectively resisting backface deformation, which can lead to blunt trauma injuries, due to insufficient adhesion between fibers and polymeric binders, and inadequate methods for evaluating their deformation resistance.
Innovation Solution
The development of viscoelastic, deflection-resistant fibrous composite panels with fibers having a tenacity of at least 35 g/denier and surfaces greater than 50% free of fiber surface finish, coated with a viscoelastic binder material, and a method to measure the index of retraction by comparing transient and permanent deflection distances after projectile impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If fiber surface finishes are used as fiber processing aids, then fiber processing is facilitated, but interfacial adhesion of polymeric binder materials on fiber surfaces is interfered with
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes fiber surface finishes that interfere with binder adhesion, extracting only the harmful component while retaining the beneficial fiber properties. This allows direct bonding between the polymeric binder and the fiber surface without the interfering finish layer.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the surface properties of fibers by changing the presence or characteristics of surface finishes, thereby altering the interfacial adhesion parameters to achieve optimal bonding between fibers and polymeric binder while maintaining processing capabilities.
2Strength
If insufficient adhesion of polymeric binder materials on fiber surfaces occurs, then fiber-fiber bond strength and fiber-binder bond strength are reduced, but catastrophic product failure is caused
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the potential harm of weak adhesion into a benefit by using controlled adhesion levels that allow for energy dissipation through binder deformation and fiber-binder interface slip, preventing catastrophic failure while maintaining sufficient bond strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the adhesion parameters by adjusting fiber surface properties, polymeric binder composition, and processing conditions to achieve the ideal balance between bond strength and failure resistance, ensuring that the composite can absorb impact energy without catastrophic delamination.
3Strength
If conventional composite materials are used to stop projectiles, then penetration resistance is achieved, but backface deformation causing blunt trauma injuries occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the mechanical parameters of the composite materials, specifically using viscoelastic polymeric binders with optimized modulus of elasticity and incorporating fibers with specific tenacity values, to achieve penetration resistance while minimizing backface deformation through controlled energy dissipation mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials consisting of high-strength fibers (such as UHMWPE or aramid) combined with viscoelastic polymeric binders, creating a multi-phase composite structure that simultaneously provides penetration resistance and reduces backface signature through energy absorption and deformation control.
4Weight of moving object
If composite armor weight is reduced, then lightweight performance is improved, but ability to dissipate projectile kinetic energy and resist backface deformation is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the physical and mechanical parameters of the composite components, including fiber tenacity, binder modulus, and composite density, to achieve maximum kinetic energy dissipation per unit weight, thereby improving lightweight performance without sacrificing energy absorption capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses high-performance composite materials with high strength-to-weight ratio fibers and optimized polymeric binders to achieve lightweight armor that effectively dissipates projectile kinetic energy through fiber fracture, binder deformation, and interface slip mechanisms while minimizing backface deformation.
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 viscoelastic composite panels exhibit reduced backface deformation and improved resistance to blunt trauma injuries, with the index of retraction method providing an accurate evaluation of their deformation resistance.
Implementation Method 1
The composite materials disclosed in said patents are known to achieve composite armor having excellent backface deformation resistance... viscoelastic, deflection resistant fibrous composite panel... the ability of a fibrous composite to resist backface deformation can be measured by its viscoelasticity as characterized by its ability to retract after being impacted and deformed by a high energy projectile
Implementation Method 2
the ability of a fibrous composite to resist backface deformation can be measured by its viscoelasticity as characterized by its ability to retract after being impacted and deformed by a high energy projectile... Once the projectile is stopped, expansion of the protrusion ends and the composite begins to retract at the impact site
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
Viscoelastic, lightweight composite armor that is resistant to backface deformation, and to a method for evaluating the effectiveness of composite armor in resisting backface deformation. The index of retraction of a composite is determined by evaluating the degree of composite retraction at the site of impact of projectile after movement of the projectile is stopped. The degree of retraction indicates the ability of the composite to resist backface deformation.