Abstract: A composite material which is elastic, which exhibits a resistive load under deformation which increases with the rate of deformation, which is unfoamed or foamed, comminuted or uncomminuted and which comprises i) a first polymer-based elastic material and ii) a second polymer-based material, different from i), which exhibits dilatancy in the absence of i) wherein ii) is entrapped in a solid matrix of i), the composite material being unfoamed or, when foamed, preparable by incorporating ii) with i) prior to foaming.

Abstract: A composite material which is elastic, which exhibits a resistive load under deformation which increases with the rate of deformation, which is unfoamed or foamed, comminuted or uncomminuted and which comprises i) a first polymer-based elastic material and ii) a second polymer-based material, different from i), which exhibits dilatancy in the absence of i) wherein ii) is entrapped in a solid matrix of i), the composite material being unfoamed or, when foamed, preparable by incorporating ii) with i) prior to foaming.

Abstract: A composite material which is elastic, which exhibits a resistive load under deformation which increases with the rate of deformation, which is unfoamed or foamed, comminuted or uncomminuted and which comprises i) a first polymer-based elastic material and ii) a second polymer-based material, different from i), which exhibits dilatancy in the absence of i) wherein ii) is entrapped in a solid matrix of i), the composite material being unfoamed or, when foamed, preparable by incorporating ii) with i) prior to foaming.

Abstract: A composite material which is elastic, which exhibits a resistive load under deformation which increases with the rate of deformation, which is unfoamed or foamed, comminuted or uncomminuted and which comprises i) a first polymer-based elastic material and ii) a second polymer-based material, different from i), which exhibits dilatancy in the absence of i) wherein ii) is entrapped in a solid matrix of i), the composite material being unfoamed or, when foamed, preparable by incorporating ii) with i) prior to foaming.

Abstract: A self-supporting energy absorbing composite includes: i) a solid foamed synthetic polymer matrix; ii) a polymer-based dilatant, different from i) distributed through the matrix and incorporated therein during manufacture of i); and iii) a fluid distributed through the matrix. In another embodiment, a self-supporting energy absorbing composite includes: iv) a solid, closed cell foam matrix; v) a polymer-based dilatant, different from i), distributed through the matrix; and vi) a fluid distributed through the matrix. In both embodiments, the combination of matrix, dilatant and fluid is such that the composite is resiliently compressible.

Abstract: A self-supporting energy absorbing composite includes: i) a solid foamed synthetic polymer matrix; ii) a polymer-based dilatant, different from i) distributed through the matrix and incorporated therein during manufacture of i); and iii) a fluid distributed through the matrix. In another embodiment, a self-supporting energy absorbing composite includes: iv) a solid, closed cell foam matrix; v) a polymer-based dilatant, different from i), distributed through the matrix; and vi) a fluid distributed through the matrix. In both embodiments, the combination of matrix, dilatant and fluid is such that the composite is resiliently compressible.

Abstract: A self-supporting energy absorbing composite includes: i) a solid foamed synthetic polymer matrix; ii) a polymer-based dilatant, different from i) distributed through the matrix and incorporated therein during manufacture of i); and iii) a fluid distributed through the matrix. In another embodiment, a self-supporting energy absorbing composite includes: iv) a solid, closed cell foam matrix; v) a polymer-based dilatant, different from i), distributed through the matrix; and vi) a fluid distributed through the matrix. In both embodiments, the combination of matrix, dilatant and fluid is such that the composite is resiliently compressible.