Abstract: Consolidated, layered composites having high penetration resistance to both bullets and fragments are described. The composites comprise, in order, a first non-woven fabric comprising one or a plurality of unidirectionally oriented high tenacity fibrous layers, a felt material comprising high tenacity felt fibers, and a second non-woven fabric comprising one or a plurality of unidirectionally oriented high tenacity fibrous layers. The non-woven fabrics and intermediate felt material are consolidated at facing lateral surfaces.

Abstract: An on-line drying and heat treating process with drying from internally heated fiber carrying rolls and heat treating from turbulent hot gas jets directed onto the fiber carrying rolls.

Abstract: A process for simultaneously drying and heat treating wet spun fibers of greater than 20 percent water based on weight of dry fiber material supplied continuously in multiple wraps around a pair of rolls in a heated zone, at a tension of 0.2 to 6 grams per denier at the beginning of the zone, with gas jets extending around each of the rolls for about 45 to 180 to direct turbulent gas at a temperature of 200 to 660 C against the fibers under tension in the zone until the residual moisture in the fibers is from 0.5 to 10 percent water based on weight of dry fiber material.

Abstract: High modulus, high tenacity fibers of poly-p-phenylene terephthalamide (PPD-T) are disclosed along with a fiber heat treating process for increasing the inherent viscosity and the crystallinity index of the PPD-T. Never-dried fibers swollen with water of controlled acidity are heated beyond dryness.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for supplying never-dried yarns from a humidified creel to maintain a constant and controlled amount of moisture on the yarns and, thereby, assure that the supplied yarns are maintained at a constant quality for further processing.

Abstract: High modulus, high tenacity fibers of poly-p-phenylene terephthalamide (PPD-T) are manufactured comprising a fiber heat treating process for increasing the inherent viscosity and the crystallinity index of the PPD-T. Never-dried fibers swollen with water of controlled acidity are heated beyond dryness in an atmoshphere having a flow of greater than Reynolds Number 10,000 throughout the duration of the heating.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing the moisture content of wet yarns are disclosed. Wet yarn is supplied to a pair of internally heated drier rolls which contact and spirally advance the yarn along the rolls to progressively dry the yarn. Heat is supplied to the rolls at a rate in excess of that necessary to reduce the moisture content to a predetermined level. Water is sprayed on areas of the rolls not in contact with the yarn to cool the contact surfaces. The moisture content of the yarn is measured subsequently to discharge and a signal is produced which corresponds to the moisture content. In order to achieve a desired moisture content, the spraying of water is controlled in response to the signal produced by measuring the moisture content so that the yarn discharged from the rolls approaches the predetermined level.