Method of Making a Composite Sheet
The invention relates to a method of making a composite sheet. A plurality of layers is first assembled, each layer being comprised of an untreated, unidirectional array of strands. The assembled layers are then placed adjacent one another to form an assembled sheet, with adjacent layers being in a non-parallel orientation, and without any of the layers having been treated with a matrix or binding component. The assembled sheet is then impregnated with a matrix component, which comprises a binding component and may also comprise a radiation-absorbing component.
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This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/226,457, filed Jul. 17, 2009.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThis invention relates generally to a method of making a composite material.
A composite material is constructed by assembling an arrangement of reinforcing fibers, then encapsulating or embedding the fiber arrangement in a binder or “matrix” material. Such composite materials have application as ballistic articles such as bulletproof vests, helmets, and structural members of military and law enforcement vehicles, as well as briefcases, raincoats, parachutes, umbrellas, and other items. Fibers conventionally used include aramid fibers, graphite fibers, nylon fibers, ceramic fibers, glass fibers, and the like.
It is known in the art to construct the building blocks for impact resistant composites—known as prepreg layers—by bonding or laminating together individual layers of unidirectional coplanar fibers that have been impregnated with a matrix material. Generally, the individual fibers are impregnated with the matrix material by immersing them in a bath or film of the matrix material before forming each prepreg layer so that the individual strands within each layer have sufficient structural integrity to remain coplanar. It is also known in the art to orient adjacent unidirectional fiber layers non-parallel to one another to increase the structural integrity of the prepreg layers.
A problem with these known techniques is that a large amount of matrix material must be used to create the composite material, which increases both the assembled weight and the cost of creating the composite material. Prior art methods for constructing a composite material have taught away from assembling multiple adjacent layers of unidirectional fibers without first treating the individual fibers and/or fiber layers with a matrix component. These prior art references have reasoned that the distribution of the fiber layers will be disordered by the impregnation process if matrix material is not already present on the individual fibers or fiber layers, hence causing technical issues such as the occurrence of sink marks due to differences in fiber volume fractions, and thereby damaging the structural integrity of the composite material. Furthermore, as noted above, the prior art has reasoned that impregnating the individual strands before forming them into prepreg layers is necessary to give the individual strands sufficient structural integrity to remain coplanar within each layer.
Hence, an improved method is needed for constructing a composite material that minimizes the amount of matrix component that is required to impregnate the fiber arrangement, while not diminishing the performance characteristics of the constructed composite sheet.
Relevant prior art patents include U.S. Pat. No. 5,112,667, U.S. Pat. No. 5,480,706, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,874,152.
The present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawing figures wherein like numerals denote like elements.
The ensuing detailed description provides preferred exemplary embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the invention. Rather, the ensuing detailed description of the preferred exemplary embodiments will provide those skilled in the art with an enabling description for implementing the preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention. It being understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as set forth in the appended claims.
To aid in describing the invention, directional terms are used in the specification and claims to describe portions of the present invention (e.g., upper, lower, left, right, etc.). These directional definitions are merely intended to assist in describing and claiming the invention and are not intended to limit the invention in any way. In addition, reference numerals that are introduced in the specification in association with a drawing figure may be repeated in one or more subsequent figures without additional description in the specification in order to provide context for other features.
As used herein, the term “strand” means a long fiber reinforcing component of a composite material, including, but not limited to, a string, fiber, yarn, thread, fibril, or filament, whether a monofilament or an aggregate of filaments, whether chemically treated or untreated.
The speed of rotation of the frame support apparatus 14 in the first winding direction A is variable, and dependent on such factors as, for example, the desired distance between the individual strands that comprise the first strand pass 34 and the diameter of the strand 30. Movement of the strand frame 12 in the direction D is variable and dependent on the proximity of the strand 30 to the top or bottom of the strand frame 12. That is, in order to achieve a strand pass 34 having unidirectional strands 30 that are precisely perpendicular to left and right sides of the strand frame 12, movement of the strand frame 12 in the direction D occurs only while the strand 30 is being wound around the upper or lower edge of the strand frame 12, i.e. once per revolution. As a result, the strand 30 is at a slight angle as it is being wrapped around, for example, the top edge of the strand frame 12. A series of shallow channels or raised dimples (not shown) could be arranged on the outer edges of the strand frame 12 to help guide the strand 30 as it is wrapped around the strand frame. The size and spacing of the channels or dimples would depend on factors such as, for example, the thickness of the strand 30 and the desired strand pass spacing.
In
In this embodiment, the first and second strand passes 34, 35 are oriented such that their respective strands are arranged orthogonally to one another on either side of the strand frame 12; that is, strand layer 36a is oriented orthogonal to strand layer 37a, and strand layer 36b is oriented orthogonal to strand layer 37b. If a third strand pass were constructed on top of the second strand pass 35, its respective strand layers would preferably be oriented orthogonal to the strand layers 37a, 37b of the second strand pass 35. Though it is preferable to have orthogonal arrangement of adjacent strand passes, it should be understood that any non-parallel relative orientation of the adjacent strand passes could be used. This non-parallel strand pass orientation will be paramount to the structural integrity of the fully constructed composite material, as will be discussed in greater detail below.
Several embodiments of the winding station 10 could be used to achieve the precise orthogonal orientation of adjacent strand passes. In a preferred embodiment, at the end of formation of the first strand pass 34, the strand 30 may be situated in a groove 38b at the upper right corner of the strand frame 12. The groove 38b is oriented so that the strand 30 is guided from one edge of the strand frame 12 (e.g., the top edge in
The above winding method is provided by way of example only. It should be understood that many other methods of winding the strand passes could be employed, such as for example, where the strand frame 12 is maintained in a stationary position and the spool 32 and/or guide 33 is rotated around the strand frame, or multiple spools, strands, or guides are used to create the unidirectional strand passes. It should be further understood that many other techniques and apparatuses could be used to affect the orthogonal orientation of adjacent strand passes within the scope of this invention. For example, one or more mechanical guide arms (not shown) could be used to carefully support and direct the strand 30 in order to affect the orthogonal orientation of the adjacent strand passes.
In the present embodiment, a total of two strand passes 34, 35 are assembled (see
Referring now to
An exemplary method for pressing the first and second layer sets 40, 41 together will herein be described. The first and second nesting frames 44, 45 are placed against the first and second layer sets 40, 41, respectively, and then pressed together inside of the strand frame 12. As the first and second nesting frames 44, 45 are pressed together, as seen in the sectional view of
In this embodiment, the first nesting frame 44 has tabs 48a-48d (48b not shown) located at the corners of its inner perimeter on the side of the first nesting frame 44 that is first inserted into the strand frame 12. The second nesting frame 45 is identical to the first nesting frame 44 in structure, and has tabs 49a-49d, respectively. Referring now to
In
As stated above, tabs 48, 49 prevent the first and second impregnation screens 54, 55 from making contact with the assembled sheet 50, in order to prevent the first and second impregnation screens 54, 55 from altering the arrangement of the strands which comprise the assembled sheet 50. The unidirectional arrangement of strands within a strand layer, coupled with the non-parallel orientation of adjacent strand layers, are important features affecting the structural integrity of the fully constructed composite material. For example, when orthogonally oriented strand layers are placed on top of another, a tightly arranged “checkerboard” pattern of strand layers is constructed. Not only does this strand arrangement maximize the structural integrity of the unimpregnated layer sets, but it also creates a highly uniform arrangement of spaces between the strands that will subsequently be filled with matrix component. The uniform and efficient placement of the matrix component within the assembled sheet 50 further acts to maximize the structural integrity of the composite sheet.
In the embodiments shown in
It is preferable that separate impregnation screens, such as first and second impregnation screens 54 and 55, be brought into contact with either side of the assembled sheet 50. The use of an impregnation screen on both sides of the assembled sheet 50 allows for the matrix component to be applied, alternately or simultaneously, to both sides of the assembled sheet 50, which will lead to a more even and efficient distribution of the matrix component throughout the assembled sheet 50 and will tend to reduce the amount of matrix component that will need to be used. However, it should be understood that, in the alternative, an impregnation screen could be introduced to just one side of the assembled sheet 50.
Introduction of the matrix component to the assembled sheet 50 could be accomplished in a variety of ways. Preferably, the matrix component is allowed to flow by the force of gravity through the screen holes 56 located in the first and second impregnation screens 54, 55. In the alternative, the matrix component could be generally introduced onto the surface of the first and second impregnation screens 54, 55, or directed specifically into the screen holes 56 by the means of a spray device. B-staging—a process that uses heat or UV-light to remove the majority of a solvent from an adhesive—can also be used effectively to introduce the matrix component to the assembled sheet 50. B-staging works very well with volatile organic compound (VOC)-blended resins as the matrix component; after the B-staging process, very low resin content remains in the matrix component. It should be understood that other means of introducing the matrix component to the assembled sheet 50 are possible within the scope of this invention.
It should be understood that the steps described above could be performed in a variety of alternative orders. For example, the strand frame 12 could be cut away from the first and second nesting frames 44, 45 after the first and second impregnation screens 54, 55 have been inserted within the first and second nesting frames 44, 45, respectively, or after the assembled sheet 50 has been impregnated with the matrix component. Further, as stated above, the first and second impregnation screens 54, 55 could be part of the first and second nesting frames 44, 45, respectively, and therefore could be introduced at the time that the first and second nesting frames 44, 45 are inserted within the strand frame 12. Other modifications to the order of the above steps, as well as the omission or addition of one or more steps, are also possible within the scope of this invention.
As mentioned above, adjacent strand passes are most preferably arranged such that their respective unidirectional strands are arranged orthogonal to one another on either side of the strand frame 12. It should be understood that any non-parallel orientation of adjacent strand passes could be used. All of the strands passes are arranged around the strand frame 12 without any matrix component being added to the individual strand layers. It should be understood, however, that the strand 30, as carefully defined above, may be pre-treated with a chemical, which may comprise a binding or hardening component. In the present invention, the individual strand layers are not treated with a matrix component until after the assembled sheet 50 has been created.
The orthogonal arrangement of adjacent strand passes substitutes for the structural integrity that is conventionally provided by separately impregnating individual strand layers (i.e. prepreg layers) before assembling the individual strand layers into a composite sheet. In the present invention, only after the assembled sheet 50 has been constructed and the first and second impregnation screens 54, 55 brought into adjacent positions thereto is the matrix component applied to the assembled sheet 50. In this fashion, a number of benefits can be achieved, including: (i) a reduction in the amount of matrix component used to fully impregnate the assembled sheet 50; and (ii) an increase in the contact time between the matrix component and the strands prior to evaporation of the volatiles contained in the matrix component. The significance of benefit (i) is that, in the composite material, the ratio of the volume of the strands to the volume of the matrix component is maximized; accordingly, the strength of the composite material is increased, while its weight is minimized. This benefit has particular importance with respect to ballistic applications, where the strength-to-weight ratio of for example, body armor and helmets, is of high value. In addition, the matrix component can be costly, and the efficiency of the above method results in cost savings as less matrix component needs be used to fully impregnate the assembled sheet 50. The significance of benefit (ii) is that it allows for the use of a matrix component having a higher volatile organic compound (VOC) content than would otherwise be permitted without sacrificing contact time.
The matrix component that is applied to the assembled sheet 50 through the first and second impregnation screens 54, 55 fills the gaps between and binds together the strand layers 36a, 36b, 37a, 37b. In addition to a standard binding component, the matrix component could include a radiation-absorbing component, such as Clearweld®, manufactured by Gentex Corporation of Carbondale, Pa. Clearweld is a compound that generates heat when it absorbs near infra-red (near-IR) light, such as that emitted by a laser, for example a Nd:YAG or diode laser.
In the present invention, Clearweld could be incorporated into the matrix component that is used to impregnate the assembled sheet 50. Thereafter, localized and precise activation of the Clearweld could be performed to generate a sufficient amount of heat to melt the matrix component, thus causing it to flow into the voids between the strand layers and binding them together. In addition, activation of the Clearweld allows for highly localized heating of the matrix component containing the Clearweld, without causing equivalent heating of any adjacent strand layers to occur, due to the fact that heat dissipation will not permit complete thermal transfer. Consequently, a matrix component could be used that has a higher minimum melting temperature than what would otherwise be allowable without thermally degrading the material that comprises the strand layers. For example, a polymer such as polyetherimide (PEI), having a melting point of approximately 350 degrees Centigrade (° C.), could comprise the matrix component. In this example, a polymer such as polyetheretherketone (PEEK), having a melting point of approximately 343° C., could thus comprise the strand layers. Because heat dissipation prevents equivalent heating of the strand layers, the melted PEI will not cause the PEEK strand layers to melt. It should be understood that many other polymers could be used for the matrix component and strand layers within the scope of this invention. The advantage of being able to use a polymer having a high minimum melting temperature in the matrix component is that the composite sheet formed therefrom will have improved performance characteristics, for example a higher density, thereby improving the ballistic quality of the composite sheet without adding significantly to its weight.
While the principles of the invention have been described above in connection with preferred embodiments, it is to be clearly understood that this description is made only by way of example and not as a limitation of the scope of the invention.
Claims
1. A method of making a composite sheet, comprising:
- assembling a first layer and a second layer positioned adjacent to the first layer to form an assembled sheet, the first and second layers each comprising an unbound, unidirectional array of strands, the strands of the first layer being non-parallel to the strands of the second layer; and
- adding a matrix material to the assembled sheet after the assembling step.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second layers are assembled by wrapping the strands around a winding frame.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the first and second layers are assembled by rotating the winding frame.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein rotation of the winding frame is affected by joining the winding frame with a support means.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the strands of the first layer are orthogonal to the strands of the second layer.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second layers are assembled from a continuous strand.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein forming the assembled sheet further comprises positioning the first and second layers adjacent to another by pressing a nesting frame against one of the first and second layers, the nesting frame being adapted to fit within an inner perimeter of a winding frame, the winding frame also having an outer perimeter around which the first and second layers are formed.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein the nesting frame has an inner perimeter and an outer perimeter, the inner perimeter having an inner edge and an outer edge, the nesting frame having at least one tab located along its inner perimeter.
9. The method of claim 8, further comprising placing a screen adjacent to the at least one tab, the at least one tab being adapted to prevent the screen from extending beyond the inner edge.
10. The method of claim 1, further comprising adding the matrix material to the assembled sheet by positioning a screen adjacent to the assembled sheet, the screen having a plurality of holes formed therein, and causing the matrix material to flow through the plurality of holes and onto the assembled sheet.
11. The method of claim 1, further comprising adding the matrix material to the assembled sheet by the use of a B-staging process.
12. The method of claim 1, wherein the matrix material comprises a binding component and a radiation-absorbing component.
13. A method of making a composite material, comprising:
- positioning a screen adjacent to a substrate, the screen having a plurality of holes formed therein, the substrate comprising a plurality of unidirectional, unbound strands; and
- causing a matrix material to flow through the plurality of holes and onto the substrate.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the plurality of holes is comprised of holes of uniform size.
15. The method of claim 13, wherein the plurality of holes is comprised of a first set of holes located in a central portion of the screen and a second set of holes located in a peripheral portion of the screen, the holes that comprise the first set of holes having a smaller area than the holes that comprise the second set of holes.
16. The method of claim 13, wherein the matrix material comprises a binding component and a radiation-absorbing component.
17. A method, comprising:
- impregnating a substrate with a matrix material, the substrate comprising a plurality of strands, the matrix material comprising a binding component and a radiation-absorbing component.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein the binding component comprises a polymer.
19. The method of claim 17, wherein when the radiation-absorbing component is activated, it generates an amount of thermal energy sufficient to melt the binding component.
20. The method of claim 17, wherein the plurality of strands comprises a first material, the first material having a lower minimum melting temperature than the binding component.
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 25, 2013
Publication Date: Jun 6, 2013
Applicant: GENTEX CORPORATION (Carbondale, PA)
Inventor: GENTEX CORPORATION (Carbondale, PA)
Application Number: 13/750,155
International Classification: D04H 3/12 (20060101);