Viscoelastic Interleaf Composite for Vibration Damping

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Advanced composite materials used in aerospace and other applications lack sufficient damping capacity for acoustic and vibration reduction without compromising stiffness and strength, leading to weight inefficiencies and increased assembly costs.

Innovation Solution

A structural composite material incorporating a viscoelastic interleaf made of nonwoven material, such as thermoplastic elastomers, embedded between layers of textile fibers, which is partially or completely impregnated with a resin component, enhancing damping properties while maintaining structural integrity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If advanced composite materials are used to achieve high strength and stiffness, then structural performance is improved, but damping capacity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoiddamping capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by combining fiber-reinforced polymer matrix composites with a viscoelastic interleaf layer. This creates a multi-layer composite structure where the structural plies provide strength and stiffness while the viscoelastic interleaf provides damping capacity. The interleaf is positioned between structural plies and is impregnated with resin, creating an integrated composite material system that delivers both structural performance and vibration/acoustic damping.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If damping materials are added to improve vibration and acoustic damping, then damping capacity is improved, but weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedamping capacityVSAvoidstructural weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the damping function with the structural laminate by integrating the viscoelastic interleaf within the stack of structural plies. Rather than adding damping material as a separate external layer, the damping interleaf is combined with the structural composite in a single integrated laminate structure. This integration allows the damping material to contribute to the overall structural assembly while minimizing additional weight compared to separate damping treatments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The viscoelastic interleaf serves multiple functions: it provides vibration damping, acoustic damping, and contributes to the structural integrity of the laminate. By positioning the interleaf between structural plies and impregnating it with resin, it becomes part of the load-bearing structure while simultaneously providing damping performance across a wide frequency and temperature range.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If damping treatments are applied after manufacturing to improve acoustic and vibration damping, then damping capacity is improved, but device complexity and assembly costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedamping capacityVSAvoidassembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by incorporating the viscoelastic interleaf during the initial manufacturing process of the composite laminate. The interleaf is placed between structural plies before curing, and resin is infused to impregnate the interleaf along with the structural fibers. This preliminary integration eliminates the need for separate post-manufacturing damping treatments, reducing assembly steps and overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The manufacturing process merges the structural laminate fabrication with the damping treatment by simultaneously curing the resin-impregnated viscoelastic interleaf with the structural plies. This combined process creates an integrated damping-structural component in a single manufacturing step, eliminating the need for separate damping treatment operations and reducing assembly complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 solution provides improved acoustic and vibration damping with minimal reduction in stiffness and strength, achieving weight savings and reduced maintenance costs by integrating the damping material into the composite structure during manufacturing, thus reducing the need for secondary damping treatments.

Implementation Method 1

a viscoelastic interleaf; wherein the structural component is in a form of a plurality of layers of textile that comprises structural fibers; wherein the viscoelastic interleaf is a thin layer of nonwoven material positioned between a pair of adjacent layers of the textile

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectViscoelasticity: Viscoelasticity

Implementation Method 2

Composite materials having acoustic and vibration damping properties are disclosed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDamping: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP2385897B1Structural composite material with improved acoustic and vibrational damping properties

Publication Date: 2016.07.27 CYTEC TECHNOLOGY CORP

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3

AI summary

A composite material has a viscoelastic interleaf comprising a nonwoven layer, which may be positioned mid-ply therein.