Abstract: Ballistic resistant composite materials having high positive buoyancy in water are provided. More particularly, provided are foam-free, buoyant composite materials fabricated using dry processing techniques. The materials comprise fibrous plies that are partially coated with a particulate binder that is thermopressed to transform a portion of the binder into raised, discontinuous patches bonded to fiber/tape surfaces, while another portion of the particulate binder remains on the fibers/tapes as unmelted particles. The presence of the unmelted binder particles maintains empty spaces within the composite to materials which increases the positive buoyancy of the composites in water.

Abstract: Ballistic resistant composite materials having high positive buoyancy in water are provided. More particularly, provided are foam-free, buoyant composite materials fabricated using dry processing techniques. The materials comprise fibrous plies that are partially coated with a particulate binder that is thermopressed to transform a portion of the binder into raised, discontinuous patches bonded to fiber/tape surfaces, while another portion of the particulate binder remains on the fibers/tapes as unmelted particles. The presence of the unmelted binder particles maintains empty spaces within the composite materials which increases the positive buoyancy of the composites in water.

Abstract: This technology relates materials that are stab, spike and ballistic resistant and to stab, spike and ballistic resistant composite articles incorporating uniaxially oriented, non-woven fabrics. A fabric layer having a non-uniform areal density is formed having thick areas and thin areas, the thick areas having a greater filament/tape concentration compared to the thin areas. In said thick areas, agglomerated tapes/filaments will protrude from the fabric layer surface. Additional layers are then adjoined with the non-uniform layer to form a panel that has stab, spike and ballistic resistance, with protrusions at least partially spacing the additional layers from full, direct contact with the surface of the non-uniform fabric layer to thereby enhance flexibility and stab, spike and ballistic resistance of the whole.

Abstract: Hybrid fibrous composite materials incorporating at least two different fabric components and a multicomponent adhesive system for adhering the fabric components together. The adhesive system enhances the bond strength between the fabric components, which would otherwise easily delaminate from each other and peel apart. The components of the adhesive system bond strongly to each other as well as to the fabric elements.

Abstract: Multi-ply, hybrid composite materials useful in the formation of thin walled, hollow, tubular articles having improved resistance to hoop stress. Two different, single-ply pre-pregs are impregnated with binders and laminated together with the fibers of the layers oriented at a bias relative to each other. The hybrid composite is rolled into a tubular article having excellent strength uniformity along the full length of the tubular article.

Abstract: Low porosity fibrous materials, articles formed therefrom and processes for their formation. Multiple plies of high tenacity, multifilament elongate bodies are optionally stitched together and pressed as a set without being laminated, adhered or thermally fused to each other. Pressing spreads the component filaments of the elongate bodies, forcing the filaments to occupy spaces between adjacent fibers and thereby reducing porosity of the complete multi-ply material.

Abstract: Multilayer composite materials combining a low tenacity nylon fabric with a fabric formed from high tenacity fibers. The fabrics are bonded with a compatibilizing adhesive system that achieves a peel strength of at least 1.5 lbs/inch. The nylon is colored with a camouflage pattern and the high strength fabric is colored with a color that does not stand out relative to the camouflage pattern. The composite materials are used for forming vest covers and plate carrier materials, particularly webless plate carrier materials having slots for hanging modular accessories.

Abstract: Ballistic resistant composite materials having high positive buoyancy in water are provided. More particularly, provided are foam-free, buoyant composite materials fabricated using dry processing techniques. The materials comprise fibrous plies that are partially coated with a particulate binder that is thermopressed to transform a portion of the binder into raised, discontinuous patches bonded to fiber/tape surfaces, while another portion of the particulate binder remains on the fibers/tapes as unmelted particles. The presence of the unmelted binder particles maintains empty spaces within the composite materials which increases the positive buoyancy of the composites in water.

Abstract: Multilayer composite materials having a camouflaged appearance. More particularly, camouflaged tactical vest covers having slots for the webless attachment of accessories. An easily colored outer fabric is provided with a colored camouflage pattern and backed with a non-colored high tenacity fabric for enhanced durability. A colored intermediate adhesive is employed to maintain a camouflaged visual appearance without the added complexity of dying the high tenacity fibers of the backing material.

Abstract: Elongated bodies made from high tenacity polyolefin fibers are provided that are useful as fishing lines, and processes for making the lines. Fibers having tenacities of at least 39 g/denier are braided and fused together to form braided bodies having very small diameters.

Abstract: Composite materials combining both high and low strength fibrous materials. More particularly, composite materials that are useful as lightweight vest covers for tactical vests and that are suitable for the formation of alternatives to conventional Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment (MOLLE).

Abstract: Ballistic resistant composite materials having high positive buoyancy in water are provided. More particularly, provided are foam-free, buoyant composite materials fabricated using dry processing techniques. The materials comprise fibrous plies that are partially coated with a particulate binder that is thermopressed to transform a portion of the binder into raised, discontinuous patches bonded to fiber/tape surfaces, while another portion of the particulate binder remains on the fibers/tapes as unmelted particles. The presence of the unmelted binder particles maintains empty spaces within the composite materials which increases the positive buoyancy of the composites in water.

Abstract: Multi-ply, hybrid composite materials useful in the formation of thin walled, hollow, tubular articles having improved resistance to hoop stress. Two different, single-ply pre-pregs are impregnated with binders and laminated together with the fibers of the layers oriented at a bias relative to each other. The hybrid composite is rolled into a tubular article having excellent strength uniformity along the full length of the tubular article.

Abstract: Low porosity fibrous materials, articles formed therefrom and processes for their formation. Multiple plies of high tenacity, multifilament elongate bodies are optionally stitched together and pressed as a set without being laminated, adhered or thermally fused to each other. Pressing spreads the component filaments of the elongate bodies, forcing the filaments to occupy spaces between adjacent fibers and thereby reducing porosity of the complete multi-ply material.

Abstract: This technology relates materials that are stab, spike and ballistic resistant and to stab, spike and ballistic resistant composite articles incorporating uniaxially oriented, non-woven fabrics. A fabric layer having a non-uniform areal density is formed having thick areas and thin areas, the thick areas having a greater filament/tape concentration compared to the thin areas. In said thick areas, agglomerated tapes/filaments will protrude from the fabric layer surface. Additional layers are then adjoined with the non-uniform layer to form a panel that has stab, spike and ballistic resistance, with protrusions at least partially spacing the additional layers from full, direct contact with the surface of the non-uniform fabric layer to thereby enhance flexibility and stab, spike and ballistic resistance of the whole.

Abstract: Low porosity fibrous materials, articles formed therefrom and processes for their formation. Multiple plies of high tenacity, multifilament elongate bodies are optionally stitched together and pressed as a set without being laminated, adhered or thermally fused to each other. Pressing spreads the component filaments of the elongate bodies, forcing the filaments to occupy spaces between adjacent fibers and thereby reducing porosity of the complete multi-ply material.

Abstract: Ballistic resistant materials and articles formed from fiber/tape plies that incorporate multiple different fiber or tape types within a single ply. The different fiber or tape types are physically dissimilar but may be chemically different or substantially chemically similar.

Abstract: Hybrid fibrous composite materials incorporating at least two different fabric components and a multicomponent adhesive system for adhering the fabric components together. The adhesive system enhances the bond strength between the fabric components, which would otherwise easily delaminate from each other and peel apart. The components of the adhesive system bond strongly to each other as well as to the fabric elements.

Abstract: Multilayer composite materials combining a low tenacity nylon fabric with a fabric formed from high tenacity fibers. The fabrics are bonded with a compatibilizing adhesive system that achieves a peel strength of at least 1.5 lbs/inch. The nylon is colored with a camouflage pattern and the high strength fabric is colored with a color that does not stand out relative to the camouflage pattern. The composite materials are used for forming vest covers and plate carrier materials, particularly webless plate carrier materials having slots for hanging modular accessories.

Abstract: Elongated bodies made from high tenacity polyolefin fibers are provided that are useful as fishing lines, and processes for making the lines. Fibers having tenacities of at least 39 g/denier are braided and fused together to form braided bodies having very small diameters.