Abstract: Flexible composite materials and soft body armor formed therefrom having enhanced abrasion resistance. The materials and armor include at least one first separator layer positioned between adjacent fabric layers, or between a fabric layer and a cover, where the separator layer spaces the adjacent fabric layers or the fabric layer and cover apart from each other without being laminated or otherwise attached or connected to either the layers or the cover such that they are free to move relative to each other.

Abstract: A ballistic resistant composite material useful in rigid armor applications. The composite material includes at least one consolidated network of high tenacity fibers in a thermoplastic matrix material. The resin is a thermoplastic polyurethane resin that is semi-crystalline at room temperature. The high tenacity fibers have a tenacity of at least about 7 g/d. Prior to consolidation the polyurethane resin matrix material is in an aqueous medium. When dry, the polyurethane matrix material has a tensile modulus (at 100% elongation) of at least about 500 psi (3.45 MPa), a tensile modulus (at 300% elongation) of at least about 500 psi (3.45 MPa), and an ultimate tensile strength of at least about 2000 psi (13.78 MPa). The ballistic resistant composite material has improved ballistic properties.

Abstract: Body armor vests and other articles having combined ballistic performance and overall weight characteristics are described. A representative body armor vest comprises both a rigid breast plate and a flexible fabric adjoining the breast plate. Both components may comprise a plurality of unidirectionally oriented fibrous layers comprising fibers having high tenacity and a high tensile modulus.

Abstract: Flexible ballistic resistant composite materials are described, having any of a number of important properties, or a combination of properties, including flexibility, comfort, weight, and/or ballistic performance. Representative composite materials comprise a plurality of fibrous layers, such as non-woven fibrous layers, with these fibrous layers comprises fibers (e.g., a network of fibers) having a tenacity of at least about 35 g/d and a tensile modulus of at least about 1200 g/d. Representative fibers include, for example, high tenacity poly(alpha-olefin) fibers. The fibrous layers also comprise a polymeric matrix deposited on the fibers. Advantageously, such composite materials may have an average total areal density per fibrous layer from about 16 g/m2 to about 350 g/m2, and often from about 16 g/m2 to about 300 g/m2, in addition to meeting flexural rigidity and/or stiffness criteria as described herein.

Abstract: Body armor, in particular soft body armor, which has improved properties, and in particular enhanced abrasion resistance. The soft body armor and flexible composite materials useful for such body armor include at least one woven fabric layer, at least one second fabric layer comprising high tenacity fibers having a tenacity of at least about 7 g/d, and at least one first separator layer positioned between the woven fabric layer and the second fabric layer. The first separator layer is a lightweight, thin and flexible layer having an areal density of less than or equal to about 150 g/m2. The first separator layer is not laminated to either of the woven fabric layers or the second fabric layers such that the two layers are free to move relative to each other. Preferably the woven fabric layer is in the form of at least one stack of woven fabric layers and the second fabric layer is in the form of at least one stack of second fabric layers, with the separator layer being positioned between the stacks of layers.

Abstract: A ballistic resistant composite material useful in rigid armor applications. The composite material includes at least one consolidated network of high tenacity fibers in a thermoplastic matrix material. The resin is a thermoplastic polyurethane resin that is semi-crystalline at room temperature. The high tenacity fibers have a tenacity of at least about 7 g/d. Prior to consolidation the polyurethane resin matrix material is in an aqueous medium. When dry, the polyurethane matrix material has a tensile modulus (at 100% elongation) of at least about 500 psi (3.45 MPa), a tensile modulus (at 300% elongation) of at least about 500 psi (3.45 MPa), and an ultimate tensile strength of at least about 2000 psi (13.78 MPa). The ballistic resistant composite material has improved ballistic properties.

Abstract: A composite material which has excellent ballistic performance and has improved flexibility. Surprisingly, it has been found that a combination of poly(alpha-olefin) fiber and matrix resin provides these desirable product features. The resin matrix is a block copolymer of a conjugated diene and a vinyl aromatic monomer, preferably a styrene-isoprene-styrene block copolymer, that is applied as an aqueous composition. The fiber has a tenacity of at least about 35 g/d and a tensile modulus of at least about 1200 g/d. The composite has a total density equal to or less than about 100 g/m2 and a stiffness of less than about 2.5 pounds (1.14 kg) for a two layer structure of the composite, and a total areal density equal to or less than about 190 g/m2 and a stiffness of less than about 3.0 pounds (1.36 kg) for a four layer structure of the composite. The Peel Strength for a two layer structure of less than about 1.0 pounds (0.45 kg) for a two layer structure of the composite, and less than about 0.7 pounds (0.

Abstract: Flexible ballistic resistant composite material that has improved resistance to pick-up of water and other liquids, the composite material comprising a plurality of non-woven fibrous layers. The fibrous layers are formed from a network of high tenacity fibers (aramid fibers, extended chain polyethylene fibers and/or rigid rod fibers). The fibers are embedded in a matrix of a thermoplastic polyurethane resin. Preferably, at least two adjacent fiber layers are oriented in a cross-ply arrangement with respect to each other. Flexible armor, such as body vests, are provided which are formed at least in part from the flexible composite material.

Abstract: Flexible ballistic resistant composite material that has improved resistance to pick-up of water and other liquids, the composite material comprising a plurality of non-woven fibrous layers. The fibrous layers are formed from a network of high tenacity fibers (aramid fibers, extended chain polyethylene fibers and/or rigid rod fibers). The fibers are embedded in a matrix of a thermoplastic polyurethane resin. Preferably, at least two adjacent fiber layers are oriented in a cross-ply arrangement with respect to each other. Flexible armor, such as body vests, are provided which are formed at least in part from the flexible composite material.

Abstract: A composite material which has excellent ballistic performance and has improved flexibility. Surprisingly, it has been found that a combination of poly(alpha-olefin) fiber and matrix resin provides these desirable product features. The resin matrix is a block copolymer of a conjugated diene and a vinyl aromatic monomer, preferably a styrene-isoprene-styrene block copolymer, that is applied as an aqueous composition. The fiber has a tenacity of at least about 35 g/d and a tensile modulus of at least about 1200 g/d. The composite has a total density equal to or less than about 100 g/m2 and a stiffness of less than about 2.5 pounds (1.14 kg) for a two layer structure of the composite, and a total areal density equal to or less than about 190 g/m2 and a stiffness of less than about 3.0 pounds (1.36 kg) for a four layer structure of the composite. The Peel Strength for a two layer structure of less than about 1.0 pounds (0.45 kg) for a two layer structure of the composite, and less than about 0.7 pounds (0.