Abstract: The present invention is an improved impact resistant composite and helmet made thereof. The helmet comprises an impact resistant composite shell. The composite shell comprises a plurality of prepreg packets. Each prepreg jacket comprises at least about 2 and preferably 5 to 20 prepreg layers. There are from 2 to 50 and preferably 5 to 20 prepreg packets. Each prepreg layer comprises a plurality of unidirectional coplanar fibers embedded in a polymeric matrix. The fibers of adjacent layers in the prepreg packets are at an angle of from 45.degree. to 90.degree., preferably 60.degree. to 90.degree., more preferably 80.degree. to 90.degree. and most preferably about 90.degree. from each other. The angle of the fiber in alternate layers is preferably, subtantially the same.

Abstract: The present invention is an impact resistant composite and helmet made thereof. The helmet comprises an impact resistant composite shell. The composite shell comprises a plurality of prepreg packets. Each prepreg packet comprises at least about 2 and preferably 5 to 20 prepreg layers. There are from 2 to 50 and preferably 5 to 20 prepreg packets. Each prepreg layer comprises a plurality of unidirectional coplanar fibers embedded in a polymeric matrix. The fibers of adjacent layers in the prepreg packets are at an angle of from 45.degree. to 90.degree., preferably 60.degree. to 90.degree., more preferably 80.degree. to 90.degree. and most preferabaly about 90.degree. from each other. The angle of the fiber in alternate layers is preferably, sustantially the same.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved prepreg layer, multilayer composition based on the improved prepreg layer, and article made from the multilayer composite.The prepreg layer of the present invention comprises an array of at least one adjacent, coplanar fibrous element. Each element has a longitudinal axis and each element comprises a plurality of unidirectional coplanar fibers embedded in a polymeric matrix. The fibers are at an oblique angle to the longitudinal axis of the element. The fibers are up to eight inches, preferably from one to eight inches, and more preferably two to six inches long. The adjacent elements are connected by the polymer matrix. Typically, the elements are in strip or sheet form with the longitudinal axis corresponding to long dimension of the strip or sheet. Alternately, the prepreg layer can be a fabric layer, where the fibers are woven or knit and the fibers are at an oblique angle to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved prepreg layer, multilayer composite based on the improved prepreg layer, and article made from the multilayer composite.The prepreg layer of the present invention comprises an array of at least two adjacent, coplanar fibrous elements. Each element comprises a plurality of unidirectional coplanar fibers embedded in a polymeric matrix. The fibers are up to eight inches, preferably one to eight inches, and more preferably two to six inches long.The prepreg layer of the present invention is useful to make a multilayer composite comprising a plurality of the prepreg layers as recited above. The fibers of adjacent layers are at an angle of about 90.degree. from each other. The composite preferably has 2 to 500, more preferably 10 to 150, and most preferably 60 to 120 layers.