Energy-Dissipating Articles, Materials and Fibers
A fiber includes at least a first portion extending axially and including a shear thickening fluid. The fiber further includes at least a second portion extending radially outwardly from the first portion. The second portion extends axially and radially encompasses the first portion over a length thereof. The shear thickening fluid may, for example, include particles suspended in a liquid phase. The second portion may, for example, include an abrasion resistant material. The fiber may further include at least a third portion extending axially and positioned radially inward of the first portion. The third portion may, for example, include a material having a higher strength than the second portion.
1 . A fiber comprising:
at least a first portionextending axially and comprising a shear thickening fluid, and
at least a second portion extending radially outwardly from the first portion, the second portion extending axially and radially encompassing the first portion.
2 . The fiber of claim 1 , wherein the shear thickening fluid comprises:
particles suspended in a liquid phase.
3 . The fiber of claim 2 , wherein the particles comprise:
at least one of an oxide, calcium carbonate or a polymer.
4 . The fiber of claim 3 , wherein the oxide is Si0 2 .
5 . The fiber of claim 3 , wherein the polymer is a polystyrene, a polymethylmethacrylate, or a polyisobutene.
6 . The fiber of claim 1 , wherein the second portion comprises:
at least one polymer.
7 . The fiber of claim 6 , wherein the polymer of the second portion is a nylon, a polyester, a polypropylene, or a polyethylene.
8 . The fiber of claim 6 , wherein the polymer of the second portion is processible from a melt phase.
9 . The fiber of claim 1 , wherein the second portion comprises an abrasion resistant material.
10 . The fiber of claim 9 , wherein the abrasion resistant material is an abrasion resistant polymer.
11 . The fiber of claim 10 , further comprising:
at least a third portion extending axially and positioned radially inwardly of the first portion, the third portion including a material having a higher strength than the second portion.
12 . The fiber of claim 11 , wherein, the third portion comprises:
at least one of a high-strength polymeric material or a metallic material.
13 . The fiber of claim 1 , further comprising:
a flexible subassembly including,
an outer multi-ply strike-face layer, and
a middle multi-play layer,
wherein an outwardly-facing surface of the middle multi-play layer is disposed adjacent the outer multi-ply strike-face layer, wherein an inwardly-facing surface of the middle multi-play layer is disposed adjacent a fabric layer, wherein the fabric layer includes the fiber.
14 . The fiber of claim 13 , further comprising:
a ballistic panel assembly, wherein the ballistic panel assembly includes the flexible subassembly.
15 . A fabric layer, comprising:
a plurality of fibers,
wherein each of the plurality of fibers includes,
at least a first portion extending axially and comprising a shear thickening fluid, and
at least a second portion extends radially outwardly from the first portion, the second portion extending axially and radially encompassing the first portion.
16 . The fabric layer of claim 15 , wherein the plurality of fibers are woven.
17 . The fabric layer of claim 15 , wherein the plurality of fibers are nonwoven.
18 . The fabric layer of claim 15 , wherein the plurality of fibers are arranged in a unidirectional manner or in a random manner.
19 . The fabric layer of claim 15 , wherein the fabric layer is an inner layer of a flexible subassembly, wherein the flexible subassembly comprises:
an outer multi-ply strike-face layer including a first aramid fabric,
a middle multi-play layer including a second aramid fabric, wherein an outwardly-facing surface of the middle multi-play layer is disposed adjacent the outer multi-ply strike-face layer, wherein an inwardly-facing surface of the middle multi-play layer is disposed adjacent the fabric layer.
20 . The fabric layer of claim 19 , further comprising:
a ballistic panel assembly, wherein the ballistic panel assembly includes the flexible subassembly.
21 . The fabric layer of claim 15 , wherein each of the plurality of fibers further comprises:
at least a third portion extending axially and positioned radially inwardly of the first portion, the third portion including a material having a higher strength than the second portion.
22 . A ballistic panel assembly, comprising:
at least one layer of a material including a plurality of fibers, each of the plurality of fibers including at least a first portion extending axially and comprising a shear thickening fluid, and at least a second portion extending radially outwardly from the first portion, the second portion extending axially and radially encompassing the first portion.
23 . The ballistic panel assembly of claim 22 , wherein the at least one layer of the material including the plurality of fibers are formed into a fabric.
24 . The ballistic panel assembly of claim 23 , wherein the plurality of fibers forming the fabric are woven.
25 . The ballistic panel assembly of claim 23 , wherein the plurality of fibers forming the fabric are nonwoven.
26 . The ballistic panel assembly of claim 23 , wherein the plurality of fibers forming the fabric are arranged in a unidirectional or random maner.
27 . The ballistic panel assembly of claim 22 , wherein each of the plurality of fibers further comprises:
at least a third portion extending axially and positioned radially inwardly of the first portion, the third portion including a material having a higher strength than the second portion.