US4737402A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Complex composite article having improved impact resistance
Assignee: Honeywell International Inc
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Filing: 1985-12-09
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Granted: 1988-04-12
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Expires: 2005-12-09
Abstract
Abstract The present invention provides an improved, complex composite article of manufacture which comprises a network of high strength fibers having a tensile modulus of at least about 160 grams/denier and a tenacity of at least about 7 g/denier. An elastomeric material substantially coats each of the individual fibers, and has a tensile modulus of less than about 6,000 psi, measured at 25 DEG C. The coated fibers are provided with at least one additional rigid layer on a major surface of the coated fibers to produce a rigid complex composite. Composites of this construction have improved resistance to environmental hazards, improved impact resistance, and are unexpectedly effective as ballistic resistant articles such as armor plate or helmets.
Inventors
- 👤 Gary A. Harpell
- 👤 Igor Palley
- 👤 Sheldon Kavesh
- 👤 Dusan C. Prevorsek
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 02:07
CPC Classifications
A; A42; A42B; A42B3/00; A42B3/04; A42B3/06; A42B3/062; C; C08; C08J; C08J5/00; C08J5/24; C08J5/241; C08J5/243; C08J5/246; F; F41; F41H; F41H5/00; F41H5/02; F41H5/04; F41H5/0414; F41H5/0428; F41H5/0435; F41H5/0471; F41H5/0485; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S428/00; Y10S428/902; Y10S428/911; Y10T; Y10T442/00; Y10T442/30; Y10T442/3049; Y10T442/3382; Y10T442/3415; Y10T442/3472; Y10T442/3528; Y10T442/60; Y10T442/603; Y10T442/607; Y10T442/654; Y10T442/656; Y10T442/659; Y10T442/671
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 39
Claim 1
Independent Claim
69 words
A composite article of manufacture comprising: (a) fiber having a tensile modulus of at least about 160 g/denier and a tenacity of at least about 7 g/denier substantially coated with an elastomeric material which has a tensile modulus (measured at about 23° C.) of less than about 6,000 psi (414 MPa); and (b) at least one rigid material arranged with said coated fiber to form a rigid composite article.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
69 words
A composite article of manufacture comprising: (a) fiber having a tensile modulus of at least about 160 g/denier and a tenacity of at least about 7 g/denier substantially coated with an elastomeric material which has a tensile modulus (measured at about 23° C.) of less than about 6,000 psi (414 MPa); and (b) at least one rigid material arranged with said coated fiber to form a rigid composite article.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
An article as recited in claim 1 wherein said article comprises a plurality of said coated fibers.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
An article as recited in claim 1 wherein said fiber comprises a plurality of filaments.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
An article as recited in claim 3 wherein each filament of fiber is substantially coated with said elastomeric material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
An article as recited in claim 2 further comprising an elastomeric matrix material which has a tensile modulus (measured at about 23° C.) of less than about 6,000 psi (414 mPa) combined with said coated fibers to form a simple composite.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
An article as recited in claim 5 wherein said elastomeric matrix material and said elastomeric material are the same material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
An article as recited in claim 2 further comprising a matrix material combined with said coated fibers to form a simple composite.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
An article as recited in claim 5 wherein said at least one rigid material is arranged as a layer on a major surface of said simple composite.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
An article as recited in claim 7 wherein said at least one rigid material is arranged as a layer on a major surface of said simple composite.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
An article as recited in claim 1 wherein said article comprises a sheet-like array of a plurality of said fiber.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
An article as recited in claim 1 wherein said article comprises a plurality of said fiber in a non-woven but regular pattern.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
An article as recited in claim 5 wherein the volume fraction of fiber in said simple composite is at least about 0.3.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
An article as recited in claim 5 wherein the volume fraction of said fiber in said simple composite is at least about 0.5.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
An article as recited in claim 5 wherein the volume fraction of fiber in said simple composite is at least about 0.75.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
An article as recited in claim 1 wherein said elastomeric matrix material comprises an elastomer having a glass transition temperature of less than about 0° C.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
An article as recited in claim 15 wherein said elastomer has a glass transition temperature of less than about -40° C.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
An article as recited in claim 15 wherein said elastomer has tensile modulus of less than about 15,000 psi.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
An article as recited in claim 1 wherein said elastomeric material has a tensile modulus of less than about 2500 psi.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
34 words
An article as recited in claim 1 wherein said fiber is high molecular weight fiber having a tensile modulus of at least about 500 g/denier and a tenacity of at least about 15 g/denier.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
134 words
An article as recited in claim 1 wherein said fiber is selected from the group consisting of: polypropylene fiber having a weight average molecular weight of at least about 750,000, a modulus of at least about 200 g/denier and a tenacity of at least about 11 g/denier; polyethylene fiber having a weight average molecular weight of at least about 500,000, a modulus of at least about 500 g/denier and a tenacity of at least about 15 g/denier; aramid fiber having a modulus of at least about 500 g/denier and a tenacity of at least about 18 g/denier, high molecular weight polyvinyl alcohol fiber having a weight average molecular weight of at least about 750,000, a modulus of at least about 200 g/denier and a tenacity of at least about 10 g/denier; and, combinations thereof.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
27 words
An article as recited in claim 5 wherein said simple composite is a sheet material to which is laminated at least one additional simple composite sheet material.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
16 words
An article as recited in claim 1 comprising a plurality of said fiber arranged as yarn.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
16 words
An article as recited in claim 22 wherein the yarn is arranged to form a fabric.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
17 words
An article as recited in claim 5 wherein said fiber is arranged to form a woven fabric.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
54 words
An article as recited in claim 1 wherein a plurality of fiber are arranged in a matrix of said elastomer material to form a sheet-like material on which at least two rigid materials in the form of layers are provided, at least one rigid layer being provided on each side of said sheet-like material.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
71 words
A ballistic resistant composite article of manufacture comprising: (a) fiber having a tensile modulus of at least about 200 g/denier and a tenacity of at least about 10 g/denier substantially coated with an elastomeric material which has a tensile modulus (measured at about 23° C.) of less than about 6,000 psi (414 MPa); and (b) at least one rigid material arranged with said coated fiber to form a rigid composite article.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
71 words
A ballistic resistant composite article of manufacture comprising: (a) fiber having a tensile modulus of at least about 200 g/denier and a tenacity of at least about 10 g/denier substantially coated with an elastomeric material which has a tensile modulus (measured at about 23° C.) of less than about 6,000 psi (414 MPa); and (b) at least one rigid material arranged with said coated fiber to form a rigid composite article.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
34 words
An article as recited in claim 26, wherein said fiber is high molecular weight fiber having a tensile modulus of at least about 500 g/denier and a tenacity of at least about 15 g/denier.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
18 words
An article as recited in claim 26 comprising a plurality of said fiber arranged as a sheet-like array.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
22 words
An article as recited in claim 26 wherein the volume fraction of fiber in said coated fiber is at least about 0.5.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
25 words
An article as recited in claim 26 wherein said elastomeric material comprises an elastomer having a glass transition temperature of less than about -40° C.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
21 words
An article as recited in claim 26 wherein said elastomeric material has a tensile modulus of less than about 2500 psi.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
90 words
An article as recited in claim 19 wherein said fiber is selected from the group consisting of polypropylene fiber having a weight average molecular weight of at least about 750,000, polyethylene fiber having a molecular weight of at least about 500,000 and a tenacity of at least about 15 g/denier, aramid fiber having a modulus of at least about 500 g/denier and a tenacity of at least about 18 g/denier, high molecular weight polyvinyl alcohol fibers having a weight average molecular weight of at least about 750,000, and combinations thereof.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
27 words
An article as recited in claim 27 wherein said at least one rigid material comprises highly oriented ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fiber in a rigid matrix material.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
10 words
Armor plate comprising the ballistic resistant article of claim 32.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
10 words
A helmet comprising the ballistic resistant article of claim 32.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
55 words
A complex composite comprising: (a) a simple composite comprising fibers having a modulus of at least about 500 g/denier and a tenacity of at least about 15 g/denier in an elastomeric matrix having a tensile modulus of less than about 6000 psi; and (b) a rigid material comprising a ceramic arranged adjacent said simple composite.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
55 words
A complex composite comprising: (a) a simple composite comprising fibers having a modulus of at least about 500 g/denier and a tenacity of at least about 15 g/denier in an elastomeric matrix having a tensile modulus of less than about 6000 psi; and (b) a rigid material comprising a ceramic arranged adjacent said simple composite.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-04-12 | 1991-10-12 | 1992-04-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-04-12 | 1995-10-12 | 1996-04-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-04-12 | 1999-10-12 | 2000-04-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |