Flexible multi-layered armor

• US 5,175,040 A
• Filed: 05/10/1991
• Issued: 12/29/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 08/03/1987
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Alliedsignal Inc.
• Original Assignee: Alliedsignal Inc.
• Inventors: Harpell, Gary A., Prevorsek, Dusan C., Li, Hsin L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lesmes, George F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Brown, Christopher
• Application Number:
  US07/701,337
• Time in Patent Office: 599 Days
• Field of Search: 428/213, 428/232, 428/246, 428/252, 428/253, 428/260, 428/280, 428/289, 428/290, 428/911, 428/286, 428/293, 428/294, 428/298, 428/302, 428/113, 2/2.5
• US Class Current: 428/113
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 7/24 with means, e.g. a container, for supplying liquid or other fluent material to a discharge device B05B7/14, B05B7/16, B05B11/00 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 7/04 Interconnection of layers
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 6/14 using nozzles
• CPC Class Codes: F41H 5/0485 all the layers being only fibre- or fabric-reinforced layers
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 30/54 Free-cooling systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 428/911 Penetration resistant layer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24124 Fibers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2495 Thickness [relative or absolute]

Abstract

The present invention is a flexible impact resistant article comprising a plurality of prepreg packets. Each prepreg packet comprises at least about 2 prepreg layers. Each prepreg layer comprises a plurality of coplanar fibers embedded in a polymeric matrix. There is a means to maintain at least a portion of each prepreg packet in successive layers. The prepreg packets are unattached to each other over a portion of their adjacent areas, preferably over a substantial portion of their adjacent areas. The plurality of packets results in improved flexibility.

Claims

1. A flexible impact resistant article comprising a plurality of prepreg packets having adjacent surfaces, where each prepreg packet comprises a composite comprising at least 4 prepreg layers, with each prepreg layer comprising an array of at least two adjacent coplanar fibrous elements, each element comprising a plurality of unidirectional fibers embedded in a polymeric matrix wherein the unidirectional fibers of adjacent layers are arranged at approximately 90°

to the fibers in the next layer and are up to eight inches in length, the adjacent elements being connected by the polymeric matrix, and a means to maintain at least a portion of adjacent prepreg packets in successive relative position, the prepreg packets being unattached to each other over a portion of their adjacent surfaces.

2. The article as recited in claim 1 wherein the fibers in the prepreg layers are from about two to about six inches long.

3. The article as recited in claim 1 wherein the fibers in the prepreg layers have a tensile modulus of at least about 160 g/denier and an energy to break of at least 7 J/g.

4. The composite as recited in claim 1 wherein there are from 3 to 500 prepreg layers.

5. The article as recited in claim 3 wherein there are from 60 to 120 layers.

6. The article as recited in claim 1 wherein each prepreg packet comprises from 5 to 20 prepreg layers.

7. The article as recited in claim 1 wherein the composite comprises from 2 to 500 prepreg packets.

8. The article as recited in claim 1 wherein the fiber is selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, polyvinylalcohol, polyaramid and combinations thereof.

9. The article as recited in claim 1 wherein the polymer matrix has a tensile modulus of less than 6000 psi at 25°

C.

10. The article as recited in claim 1 wherein each prepreg packet comprises at least 10 prepreg layers.

11. The article as recited in claim 1 wherein each prepreg packet comprises 4 to 100 prepreg layers.

12. The article as recited in claim 1 wherein each prepreg packet comprises 10 to 100 prepreg layers.

13. The article as recited in claim 1 wherein the article is a vest.

14. A flexible impact resistant article comprising a plurality of prepreg packets having adjacent surfaces, where each prepreg packet comprises a composite comprising at least 2 prepreg layers, with each prepreg layer comprising an array of at least two adjacent coplanar fibrous elements, each element comprising a plurality of unidirectional fibers embedded in a polymeric matrix wherein the unidirectional fibers of adjacent layers are arranged at approximately 90°

to the fibers in the next layer and are up to eight inches in length, the adjacent elements being connected by the polymeric matrix, and a means to maintain at least a portion of adjacent prepreg packets in successive relative position, the prepreg packets being unattached to each other over a portion of their adjacent surfaces.