EP0544561B1 - Ballistic resistant protection armour for the human body - Google Patents

Ballistic resistant protection armour for the human body Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0544561B1
EP0544561B1 EP92403090A EP92403090A EP0544561B1 EP 0544561 B1 EP0544561 B1 EP 0544561B1 EP 92403090 A EP92403090 A EP 92403090A EP 92403090 A EP92403090 A EP 92403090A EP 0544561 B1 EP0544561 B1 EP 0544561B1
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Prior art keywords
armor
accordance
fibers
fracturable
layer
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0544561A1 (en
Inventor
Bernard Binon
Cyril Raquin
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Etat Francais Repr Par Ministere De L'interieur Repr Par Dir Gen de la Police Nat Repr Par Centre D'etudes De Logistique
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Etat Francais Repr Par Ministere De L'interieur Repr Par Dir Gen de la Police Nat Repr Par Centre D'etudes De Logistique
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    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F41—WEAPONS
    • F41H—ARMOUR; ARMOURED TURRETS; ARMOURED OR ARMED VEHICLES; MEANS OF ATTACK OR DEFENCE, e.g. CAMOUFLAGE, IN GENERAL
    • F41H5/00—Armour; Armour plates
    • F41H5/02—Plate construction
    • F41H5/04—Plate construction composed of more than one layer
    • F41H5/0471—Layered armour containing fibre- or fabric-reinforced layers
    • F41H5/0478—Fibre- or fabric-reinforced layers in combination with plastics layers
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10S428/00—Stock material or miscellaneous articles
    • Y10S428/911—Penetration resistant layer
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T428/00—Stock material or miscellaneous articles
    • Y10T428/24—Structurally defined web or sheet [e.g., overall dimension, etc.]
    • Y10T428/24149—Honeycomb-like

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to the production of a protective shield of the type that is incorporated into clothing to constitute a ballistic protective lining.
  • a protective shield of the type that is incorporated into clothing to constitute a ballistic protective lining.
  • Such shielding is in particular intended for the production of bullet-proof vests that the police wear during interventions which may expose them to ballistic fire.
  • the invention essentially aims to allow the manufacture of a body protection material offering sufficient protection against projectiles originating in particular from handguns and also having satisfactory comfort and freedom of use.
  • the ballistic armor produced according to the invention with this material can be inserted into compartments fitted for this purpose in different types of civilian, military, etc. clothing. It can thus be used in particular to constitute the bullet-proof plastron of a ballistic protection vest, which for the rest will be of any type known per se.
  • Polyamide fibers are used in the manufacture of protective vests. It is now industrially arylamide fibers, including more particularly the phenylphthalamides which are known in the trade under the name of Kevlar. These fibers have a high resistance to elongation and to tension. Protective structures are thus made up of one or more layers of a tightly textured fabric made of these fibers. However, it has been realized that the superposition of several layers of this fabric leads to the use of folds in which a projectile can be inserted. This in turn requires that these layers of arylamide fiber fabric be sewn together.
  • the probability of a projectile being stopped by a flexible protective material depends on the type of armor, the speed of the projectile, as well as various other parameters such as the type of ammunition, atmospheric conditions more or less dry or humid, etc.
  • body armor is generally designed to stop specific threats, falling within a specific speed range based on armor standards and the expected threat.
  • the subject of the invention is a ballistic armor for body protection, useful in particular against handgun projectiles, which is characterized in that it comprises, incorporated within it, at least one layer of a fracturable material under the effect of a deformation of its surface placed behind layers of conventional, flexible material, preferably of the polyolefin fiber type, which cover the surface of said material exposed to impacts.
  • the body shielding meets two requirements: to stop the projectile by dissipating energy translated into deformation effort, but also not to cause a deformation of the shielding itself too strong, in order to avoid any trauma linked to the shock.
  • a layer of material is used which is opposed to this deformation by fracturing immediately upon impact, thus creating an empty space in which the deformation of the deformable layers can advantageously be accommodated and thus avoid traumatic deformation of the rear of the ballistic armor.
  • Very high molecular weight polyolefin fibers are already used in body protection. They lead to materials which have a fairly high resistance to weight ratio and thus offer a high stopping power.
  • the polyolefin fibers most often made of polyethylene have a high wave propagation speed (12,300 m / s) which allows absorption and dispersion of the impact energy of a projectile over a maximum surface.
  • the ballistic protective shielding must include at least 45 sheets of polyethylene so that the deformation caused on impact is sufficiently reduced from one side to the other of the total thickness shielding. And if we want to increase the characteristics concerning the wearing comfort or the invisibility of the material inserted in civilian clothes, we run into the problem that by reducing the thickness of the shielding, we then increase the deformation of the internal face leading to the risk of shock-related trauma.
  • the ballistic armor according to the invention advantageously makes it possible to be satisfied with a thickness of material flexible type of sheets made of smaller polyethylene fibers, generally not exceeding about 30 to 35 sheets, thanks to the fact that there is incorporated a layer of a material whose walls are billable and thus allows for a lesser thickness in total, to offer the same protection against trauma that could be caused by the impact of a projectile.
  • polyolefin fibers Compared to polyamide fibers, polyolefin fibers, and more particularly those made of polyethylene, exhibit more efficient characteristics, such as toughness and elasticity, and this for a relative density lower than that of polyamide fibers such as Kevlar.
  • the toughness (PSI) is of the order of 375.10 3 to 435.10 3 while for polyamide fibers, it is of the order of 273.10 3 .
  • the elastic modulus (PSI) varies from 17.4.10 6 to 24.8.10 6 while it is 9.8.10 6 for polyamides.
  • polyethylene fibers are used either as a woven or as a non-woven material.
  • the latter is presented as a sheet consisting of a layer of polyethylene fibers placed in one direction and another layer of fibers placed in another direction.
  • the two layers of fibers are linked by resin in orientations of 0 ° and 90 ° in particular.
  • the layers of polyethylene fibers are most often covered with a film of a flexible thermoplastic resin.
  • Said sheets thus formed have the advantage of overcoming the pleating to which the woven fabrics are subjected and which reduces the system's capacity to remain under tension and to immediately absorb the energy of the projectile.
  • said sheets allow a uniform distribution of the stresses along the directions of the fibers unlike woven systems where the stresses are absorbed locally.
  • the fiber layer structure also allows many more fibers to come into contact with a projectile upon initial impact.
  • the resin which binds the fibers keeps them under the shock wave of the projectile which tries to push them out of its path.
  • the absorption and dispersion capacity of the impact energy of a projectile is given by the flexibility of the polyolefin fiber sheets, their elongation power and by the better distribution of the stresses obtained by the fiber layer structure. of said sheets.
  • the layer of fracturable material has a honeycomb structure, in particular of the honeycomb type, the walls of which are preferably made of organic material, so that the assembly has good mechanical strength while remaining fragile in dynamics.
  • This fragility to dynamic forces advantageously allows said material to fracture immediately and thus free up an empty space which allows the deformation of the deformable layers to become lodged and thus particularly advantageously opposes the pursuit of said deformation and thus avoids any risk of trauma which would no longer be linked to the projectile itself but to the deformation it causes when it penetrates and stops in the flexible homogeneous layers.
  • the layer of fracturable material can be formed by a honeycomb structure with non-metallic fracturable walls, which forms generally hexagonal cells opening on the surface of the layer, but as a variant, equivalent materials can be used, as can be for example a set of several thicknesses of a plastic film enclosing air bubbles, which under the pressure exerted by the deformation of said film thicknesses will burst and thus generate a vacuum.
  • such a non-metallic honeycomb layer is made from polyamide resin paper, in particular phenylphthalamide such as that commonly known in the trade under the name Nomex, which is impregnated with phenolic resin, according to aeronautical specification MIL-R-9299.
  • This material due to the bond produced between the arylamide fibers and the phenolic resin, has a high mechanical resistance to compression, shock, vibration and fatigue.
  • honeycombs with a hexagonal cell diameter of 3.2 or 4.0 mm are used for a density of the order of 24 to 29 kg / m 3 .
  • the preferred honeycombs have a thickness of the order of 3 to 4 mm.
  • Ballistic tests conducted using a protective armor according to the invention were carried out and showed that it was destroyed over about 1 cm in diameter, while for arylamide fibers for example, the destruction of the shielding occurs on a surface of 2 to 4 cm in diameter.
  • the deformation cone is advantageously reduced thanks to the invention.
  • the sheets of fiber layers will play in flexibility while the woven structures will oppose a certain resistance because of their greater rigidity, the material with fracturable walls always playing the same role.
  • a honeycomb layer and a plastic film with air bubbles can advantageously be used as fracturable material.
  • the vest of FIG. 1 has a plastron, within its lining, a ballistic protection armor 1 against handguns, which consists of several layers which appear in the exploded view of FIG. 2.
  • the extreme polyethylene layers 5 and 6 are joined together all around the faceplate, either by sewing, or preferably by heat sealing, in order to maintain the assembly.
  • the first layer of polyethylene on the outer surface, ie 5 is extended to flexibly wrap the assembly, including the fracturable layer which is relatively rigid, until it reaches the opposite extreme layer 6 which slightly overflows from the intermediate layers. which remain free inside the envelope thus formed.
  • the sheets of polyethylene fibers are sewn so as to avoid any spacing between the sheets in the thickness at the time of impact, spacing which would then generate a reduction in the efficiency of the system insofar as only the surface sheets would work.

Abstract

Ballistic armour for protecting the body against hand weapons, which comprises a number of stacked layers of polyolefin (especially polyethylene) and, within this stack, a layer of a material made of fracturable walls, especially in the form of a honeycomb made of polyamide fibres impregnated with phenolic resin. <IMAGE>

Description

La présente invention concerne la réalisation d'un blindage de protection du type de ceux qui sont incorporés dans des vêtements pour constituer un doublage de protection balistique. Un tel blindage est notamment destiné à la confection des gilets pare-balles que portent les policiers lors d'interventions qui peuvent les exposer à des tirs balistiques.The present invention relates to the production of a protective shield of the type that is incorporated into clothing to constitute a ballistic protective lining. Such shielding is in particular intended for the production of bullet-proof vests that the police wear during interventions which may expose them to ballistic fire.

Un blindage de l'art antérieur est connu du document US-A-3 577 836.Shielding of the prior art is known from document US-A-3,577,836.

Dans ce contexte, l'invention vise essentiellement à permettre la fabrication d'un matériau de protection corporelle offrant une protection suffisante contre les projectiles provenant notamment des armes à poing et présentant également un confort et une liberté d'utilisation satisfaisants. Le blindage balistique réalisé selon l'invention avec ce matériau pourra être inséré dans des compartiments aménagées à cet effet dans différents types de vêtements civils, militaires, etc. Il pourra ainsi notamment servir à constituer le plastron pare-balles d'un gilet de protection balistique, qui pour le reste sera de tout type en soi connu.In this context, the invention essentially aims to allow the manufacture of a body protection material offering sufficient protection against projectiles originating in particular from handguns and also having satisfactory comfort and freedom of use. The ballistic armor produced according to the invention with this material can be inserted into compartments fitted for this purpose in different types of civilian, military, etc. clothing. It can thus be used in particular to constitute the bullet-proof plastron of a ballistic protection vest, which for the rest will be of any type known per se.

La recherche de matériaux de protection corporelle adaptés contre les armes à poing est un souci permanent pour la protection des personnes susceptibles de se trouver face à de tels dangers. Cependant jusqu'à la seconde guerre mondiale, le matériau de blindage préféré étant l'acier, son emploi pour la protection corporelle individuelle était fort peu envisageable.The search for suitable body protection materials against handguns is a permanent concern for the protection of persons likely to be faced with such dangers. However until the Second World War, the preferred shielding material being steel, its use for personal body protection was very unlikely.

Les recherches dans ce domaine se sont ensuite orientées vers l'utilisation de matériaux qui allient des propriétés de blindage à des caractéristiques de souplesse et de légèreté, de sorte qu'ils soient capables d'apporter un certain confort aux utilisateurs. C'est ainsi que les recherches se sont portées sur l'utilisation de fibres organiques dans des matériaux composites.Research in this area was then directed towards the use of materials which combine shielding properties with characteristics of flexibility and lightness, so that they are able to bring a certain comfort to the users. This is how research has focused on the use of organic fibers in composite materials.

Les fibres de polyamides, en particulier, sont utilisées dans la fabrication de gilets de protection. Il s'agit maintenant industriellement de fibres d'arylamides, parmi lesquelles plus particulièrement les phénylphtalamides qui sont connues dans le commerce sous le nom de Kevlar. Ces fibres présentent une haute résistance à l'allongement et à la tension. On fabrique ainsi des structures de protection constituées d'une ou plusieurs couches d'un tissu à texture serrée réalisé en ces fibres. Mais on s'est rendu compte que la superposition de plusieurs couches de ce tissu entraîne à l'emploi la formation de plis dans lesquels un projectile peut s'insérer. Ceci exige en palliatif de coudre ces couches de tissu de fibres d'arylamide entre elles.Polyamide fibers, in particular, are used in the manufacture of protective vests. It is now industrially arylamide fibers, including more particularly the phenylphthalamides which are known in the trade under the name of Kevlar. These fibers have a high resistance to elongation and to tension. Protective structures are thus made up of one or more layers of a tightly textured fabric made of these fibers. However, it has been realized that the superposition of several layers of this fabric leads to the use of folds in which a projectile can be inserted. This in turn requires that these layers of arylamide fiber fabric be sewn together.

D'une manière générale, la probabilité d'arrêt d'un projectile par un matériau souple de protection dépend du type de blindage, de la vitesse du projectile, ainsi que de divers autres paramètres tels que le type de munition, les conditions atmosphériques plus ou moins sèches ou humides, etc. Il en résulte que les armures de corps sont en général conçues pour arrêter des menaces spécifiques, se situant dans une gamme de vitesses spécifique sur la base de normes de blindage et de la menace prévue.In general, the probability of a projectile being stopped by a flexible protective material depends on the type of armor, the speed of the projectile, as well as various other parameters such as the type of ammunition, atmospheric conditions more or less dry or humid, etc. As a result, body armor is generally designed to stop specific threats, falling within a specific speed range based on armor standards and the expected threat.

L'invention a pour objet un blindage balistique de protection corporelle, utile notamment contre les projectiles d'armes au poing, qui se caractérise en ce qu'il comporte, incorporée en son sein, au moins une couche d'un matériau fracturable sous l'effet d'un effort de déformation de sa surface placé derrière des couches de matériau classique, flexible, de préférence du type fibres de polyoléfine, qui recouvrent la surface dudit matériau exposée aux impacts.The subject of the invention is a ballistic armor for body protection, useful in particular against handgun projectiles, which is characterized in that it comprises, incorporated within it, at least one layer of a fracturable material under the effect of a deformation of its surface placed behind layers of conventional, flexible material, preferably of the polyolefin fiber type, which cover the surface of said material exposed to impacts.

Dans le cadre de l'invention, on cherche notamment à ce que, lors de l'impact d'un projectile à 400-500 m/s, le blindage corporel réponde à deux exigences : arrêter le projectile en dissipant de l'énergie traduite en effort de déformation , mais aussi ne pas entraîner une déformation du blindage lui-même trop forte, afin d'éviter tout traumatisme lié au choc.In the context of the invention, it is sought in particular that, upon the impact of a projectile at 400-500 m / s, the body shielding meets two requirements: to stop the projectile by dissipating energy translated into deformation effort, but also not to cause a deformation of the shielding itself too strong, in order to avoid any trauma linked to the shock.

Ainsi au lieu d'assurer une protection par une flexibilité limitée d'un blindage qui serait exclusivement constitué de feuilles d'un matériau flexible du type des fibres de polyoléfine ou de polyamide empilées, on fait intervenir une couche de matériau qui s'oppose à cette déformation en se fracturant immédiatement sous l'impact créant ainsi un espace vide dans lequel la déformation des couches déformables peut avantageusement se loger et éviter ainsi une déformation traumatisante de l'arrière du blindage balistique.Thus, instead of providing protection by a limited flexibility of shielding which would exclusively consist of sheets of flexible material such as stacked polyolefin or polyamide fibers, a layer of material is used which is opposed to this deformation by fracturing immediately upon impact, thus creating an empty space in which the deformation of the deformable layers can advantageously be accommodated and thus avoid traumatic deformation of the rear of the ballistic armor.

Les fibres de polyoléfine à très haut poids moléculaire sont déjà utilisées dans la protection corporelle. Elles conduisent à des matériaux qui présentent un rapport de résistance par rapport au poids assez élevé et offrent ainsi un haut pouvoir d'arrêt. Les fibres de polyoléfine le plus souvent en polyéthylène possèdent une haute vitesse de propagation de l'onde (12 300 m/s) qui permet une absorption et une dispersion de l'énergie d'impact d'un projectile sur une surface maximum.Very high molecular weight polyolefin fibers are already used in body protection. They lead to materials which have a fairly high resistance to weight ratio and thus offer a high stopping power. The polyolefin fibers most often made of polyethylene have a high wave propagation speed (12,300 m / s) which allows absorption and dispersion of the impact energy of a projectile over a maximum surface.

Si on utilise des feuilles en fibres de polyéthylène seules, le blindage de protection balistique doit comporter au moins 45 feuilles de polyéthylène afin que la déformation occasionnée lors de l'impact soit suffisamment réduite d'une face à l'autre de l'épaisseur totale du blindage. Et si l'on veut augmenter les caractéristiques concernant le confort du port ou l'invisibilité du matériau inséré dans des vêtements civils, on se heurte au problème qu'en réduisant l'épaisseur du blindage, on augmente alors la déformation de la face interne entraînant le risque de traumatisme lié au choc.If sheets of polyethylene fibers are used alone, the ballistic protective shielding must include at least 45 sheets of polyethylene so that the deformation caused on impact is sufficiently reduced from one side to the other of the total thickness shielding. And if we want to increase the characteristics concerning the wearing comfort or the invisibility of the material inserted in civilian clothes, we run into the problem that by reducing the thickness of the shielding, we then increase the deformation of the internal face leading to the risk of shock-related trauma.

Le blindage balistique selon l'invention permet avantageusement de se contenter d'une épaisseur de matériau flexible du type des feuilles en fibres de polyéthylène moins importante, ne dépassant pas en général environ 30 à 35 feuilles, grâce au fait qu'on y incorpore une couche d'un matériau dont les parois sont facturables et permet ainsi pour une épaisseur moins grande au total, d'offrir la même protection contre les traumatismes qui pourraient être occasionnés par l'impact d'un projectile.The ballistic armor according to the invention advantageously makes it possible to be satisfied with a thickness of material flexible type of sheets made of smaller polyethylene fibers, generally not exceeding about 30 to 35 sheets, thanks to the fact that there is incorporated a layer of a material whose walls are billable and thus allows for a lesser thickness in total, to offer the same protection against trauma that could be caused by the impact of a projectile.

Par rapport aux fibres de polyamides, les fibres de polyoléfines, et plus particulièrement celles en polyéthylène présentent des caractéristiques plus performantes, comme la ténacité et l'élasticité, et ceci pour une densité relative inférieure à celle des fibres de polyamides comme le Kevlar.
Ainsi, pour les fibres de polyéthylène la ténacité (PSI) est de l'ordre de 375.103 à 435.103 alors que pour les fibres de polyamides, elle est de l'ordre de 273.103. Le module d'élasticité (PSI) varie quant à lui de 17,4.106 à 24,8.106 alors qu'il est de 9,8.106 pour les polyamides.Compared to polyamide fibers, polyolefin fibers, and more particularly those made of polyethylene, exhibit more efficient characteristics, such as toughness and elasticity, and this for a relative density lower than that of polyamide fibers such as Kevlar.
Thus, for polyethylene fibers, the toughness (PSI) is of the order of 375.10 3 to 435.10 3 while for polyamide fibers, it is of the order of 273.10 3 . The elastic modulus (PSI) varies from 17.4.10 6 to 24.8.10 6 while it is 9.8.10 6 for polyamides.

Ces fibres de polyéthylène sont utilisées soit sous forme de tissé soit sous forme d'un matériau non tissé. Ce dernier se présente comme une feuille constituée d'une couche de fibres polyéthylène placées dans une direction et d'une autre couche de fibres placées dans une autre direction. Les deux couches de fibres sont liées par de la résine selon des orientations de 0° et 90° notamment.These polyethylene fibers are used either as a woven or as a non-woven material. The latter is presented as a sheet consisting of a layer of polyethylene fibers placed in one direction and another layer of fibers placed in another direction. The two layers of fibers are linked by resin in orientations of 0 ° and 90 ° in particular.

Les couches de fibres polyéthylène sont le plus souvent recouvertes d'un film d'une résine souple thermoplastique.The layers of polyethylene fibers are most often covered with a film of a flexible thermoplastic resin.

Il est également possible de superposer plus de deux couches de fibres de polyéthylène pour réaliser de feuilles d'épaisseur variable.It is also possible to superimpose more than two layers of polyethylene fibers to make sheets of variable thickness.

Lesdites feuilles ainsi constituées présentent l'avantage de surmonter le plissage auquel les tissés sont soumis et qui réduit la capacité du système à rester sous tension et à absorber immédiatement l'énergie du projectile.Said sheets thus formed have the advantage of overcoming the pleating to which the woven fabrics are subjected and which reduces the system's capacity to remain under tension and to immediately absorb the energy of the projectile.

De plus, lesdites feuilles permettent une répartition uniforme des contraintes selon les directions des fibres contrairement aux systèmes tissés où les contraintes sont absorbées localement.In addition, said sheets allow a uniform distribution of the stresses along the directions of the fibers unlike woven systems where the stresses are absorbed locally.

Contrairement au système tissé, la structure en couche de fibres permet également la mise en contact de beaucoup plus de fibres avec un projectile lors de l'impact initial. La résine qui lie les fibres assure le maintien de celles-ci sous l'onde de choc du projectile qui essaie de les repousser hors de sa trajectoire.Unlike the woven system, the fiber layer structure also allows many more fibers to come into contact with a projectile upon initial impact. The resin which binds the fibers keeps them under the shock wave of the projectile which tries to push them out of its path.

La capacité d'absorption et de dispersion de l'énergie d'impact d'un projectile est donnée par la flexibilité des feuilles de fibres polyoléfines, leur pouvoir d'allongement et par la meilleure répartition des contraintes obtenue par la structure en couche de fibres desdites feuilles.The absorption and dispersion capacity of the impact energy of a projectile is given by the flexibility of the polyolefin fiber sheets, their elongation power and by the better distribution of the stresses obtained by the fiber layer structure. of said sheets.

Suivant une caractéristique secondaire de l'invention, la couche de matériau fracturable présente une structure alvéolaire, notamment de type en nid d'abeille, dont les parois sont de préférence en matériau organique, de sorte que l'ensemble possède une bonne résistance mécanique tout en restant fragile en dynamique.According to a secondary characteristic of the invention, the layer of fracturable material has a honeycomb structure, in particular of the honeycomb type, the walls of which are preferably made of organic material, so that the assembly has good mechanical strength while remaining fragile in dynamics.

Cette fragilité aux efforts dynamiques permet avantageusement audit matériau de se fracturer immédiatement et de libérer ainsi un espace vide qui permet à la déformation des couches déformables de se loger et ainsi s'oppose de manière particulièrement avantageuse à la poursuite de ladite déformation et évite ainsi tout risque de traumatisme qui serait non plus lié au projectile lui-même mais à la déformation que celui-ci occasionne lors de sa pénétration et de son arrêt dans les couches homogènes flexibles.This fragility to dynamic forces advantageously allows said material to fracture immediately and thus free up an empty space which allows the deformation of the deformable layers to become lodged and thus particularly advantageously opposes the pursuit of said deformation and thus avoids any risk of trauma which would no longer be linked to the projectile itself but to the deformation it causes when it penetrates and stops in the flexible homogeneous layers.

Conformément à l'invention, la couche de matériau fracturable peut être formée par une structure en nid d'abeille à parois fracturables non métalliques, qui forme des alvéoles généralement hexagonaux s'ouvrant en surface de la couche, mais en variante on peut utiliser des matériaux équivalents, comme peut l'être par exemple un ensemble de plusieurs épaisseurs d'un film de matière plastique enfermant des bulles d'air, qui sous la pression exercée par la déformation desdites épaisseurs de film vont éclater et générer ainsi du vide.According to the invention, the layer of fracturable material can be formed by a honeycomb structure with non-metallic fracturable walls, which forms generally hexagonal cells opening on the surface of the layer, but as a variant, equivalent materials can be used, as can be for example a set of several thicknesses of a plastic film enclosing air bubbles, which under the pressure exerted by the deformation of said film thicknesses will burst and thus generate a vacuum.

Suivant un mode de réalisation préféré de l'invention, une telle couche en nid d'abeille non métallique est fabriquée à partir de papier de résine de polyamide, notamment de phénylphtalamide telle que celle couramment connue dans le commerce sous la dénomination Nomex, qui est imprégné de résine phénolique, selon la spécification aéronautique MIL-R-9299. Ce matériau, du fait de la liaison réalisée entre les fibres d'arylamide et la résine phénolique, possède une haute résistance mécanique, à la compression, aux chocs, aux vibrations et à la fatigue.According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, such a non-metallic honeycomb layer is made from polyamide resin paper, in particular phenylphthalamide such as that commonly known in the trade under the name Nomex, which is impregnated with phenolic resin, according to aeronautical specification MIL-R-9299. This material, due to the bond produced between the arylamide fibers and the phenolic resin, has a high mechanical resistance to compression, shock, vibration and fatigue.

De préférence, on utilise des nids d'abeilles présentant un diamètre de cellules hexagonales de 3,2 ou 4,0 mm pour une densité de l'ordre de 24 à 29 kg/m3. Les nids d'abeilles préférés présentent une épaisseur de l'ordre de 3 à 4 mm.Preferably, honeycombs with a hexagonal cell diameter of 3.2 or 4.0 mm are used for a density of the order of 24 to 29 kg / m 3 . The preferred honeycombs have a thickness of the order of 3 to 4 mm.

On relèvera à ce sujet que si ce matériau est bien connu des spécialistes dans des secteurs industriels où il est fait appel essentiellement à ses qualités de résistance en compression, tels que l'aéronautique, les voitures de course, les skis, ou l'industrie navale, l'application qui en est faite suivant la présente invention exploite ses qualités de manière toute différente. En effet, c'est la fragilité en dynamique de ce matériau qui lui confère les qualités requises pour s'intégrer sous la forme d'une structure alvéolaire dans un blindage balistique et assurer une bonne protection.It will be noted on this subject that if this material is well known to specialists in industrial sectors where it is mainly used for its qualities of compressive strength, such as aeronautics, racing cars, skis, or industry naval, the application which is made thereof according to the present invention exploits its qualities in a completely different manner. Indeed, it is the fragility in dynamics of this material which gives it the qualities required to integrate in the form of a cellular structure in a ballistic shielding and ensure good protection.

Des essais de balistique conduits en utilisant un blindage de protection selon l'invention ont été effectués et ont montré une destruction de celui-ci sur environ 1 cm de diamètre, alors que pour les fibres d'arylamide par exemple, la destruction du blindage intervient sur une surface de 2 à 4 cm de diamètre. Ainsi, on remarque que le cône de déformation est réduit avantageusement grâce à l'invention.Ballistic tests conducted using a protective armor according to the invention were carried out and showed that it was destroyed over about 1 cm in diameter, while for arylamide fibers for example, the destruction of the shielding occurs on a surface of 2 to 4 cm in diameter. Thus, it is noted that the deformation cone is advantageously reduced thanks to the invention.

Selon une variante de réalisation du blindage balistique selon l'invention, on peut de façon avantageuse également utiliser des feuilles de fibres polyoléfines et des stuctures tissées en fibres polyoléfines ou polyamides pour réaliser les couches de recouvrement du matériau à parois fracturables.According to an alternative embodiment of the ballistic armor according to the invention, it is also advantageous to use sheets of polyolefin fibers and woven structures made of polyolefin fibers or polyamides to produce the covering layers of the material with fracturable walls.

Ainsi, les feuilles de couches de fibres joueront en flexibilité tandis que les structures tissées opposeront un certaine résistance du fait de leur plus grande rigidité, le matériau à parois fracturables tenant toujours le même rôle.Thus, the sheets of fiber layers will play in flexibility while the woven structures will oppose a certain resistance because of their greater rigidity, the material with fracturable walls always playing the same role.

Selon un autre mode de réalisation du blindage balistique selon l'invention, on peut avantageusement utilisé comme matériau fracturable une couche de nid d'abeille et un film plastique à bulles d'air.According to another embodiment of the ballistic armor according to the invention, a honeycomb layer and a plastic film with air bubbles can advantageously be used as fracturable material.

Pour faire mieux comprendre l'invention dans ses caractéristiques essentielles et ses principaux avantages, on en décrira maintenant une forme de réalisation particulière, qui n'est cependant pas limitative. Cette description concerne l'application d'un blindage suivant l'invention dans la confection d'un gilet pare-balles, illustré par les figures 1 et 2 des dessins annexés.To better understand the invention in its essential characteristics and its main advantages, we will now describe a particular embodiment, which is not, however, limiting. This description relates to the application of a shield according to the invention in the manufacture of a bulletproof vest, illustrated by Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.

Sous une forme extérieure classique, le gilet de la figure 1 comporte en plastron, au sein de sa doublure un blindage de protection balistique 1 contre les armes au poing, lequel est constitué de plusieurs couches qui apparaissent sur la vue éclatée de la figure 2.In a conventional exterior form, the vest of FIG. 1 has a plastron, within its lining, a ballistic protection armor 1 against handguns, which consists of several layers which appear in the exploded view of FIG. 2.

On y trouve successivement, en partant de la face du plastron exposée la première aux impacts, un nombre important, de l'ordre d'une trentaine de couches homogènes superposées 2, réalisées en polyéthylène de faible épaisseur, qui recouvrent une couche de matériau fracturable 3, plus épaisse, présentant une structure alvéolaire en nid d'abeille à mailles hexagonales et à parois perpendiculaires à la surface du blindage, puis un nombre réduit de 2 ou 3 autres couches homogènes fines en polyéthylène.There are successively, starting from the face of the plastron exposed first to impact, a large number, of the order of thirty homogeneous layers superimposed 2, made of thin polyethylene, which cover a layer of fracturable material 3, thicker, having a honeycomb honeycomb structure with hexagonal meshes and walls perpendicular to the surface of the shielding, then a number reduced by 2 or 3 other homogeneous thin layers of polyethylene.

Sur les bords du blindage, les couches de polyéthylène extrêmes 5 et 6 sont réunies entre elles tout autour du plastron, soit par couture, soit de préférence par thermosoudure, afin de maintenir l'ensemble. A cet effet, la première des couches de polyéthylène en surface extérieure, soit 5, est prolongée pour envelopper souplement l'ensemble, dont la couche fracturable qui est relativement rigide, jusqu'à rejoindre la couche extrême opposée 6 qui déborde légèrement des couches intermédiaires internes, lesquelles restent libres à l'intérieur de l'enveloppe ainsi formée.On the edges of the shielding, the extreme polyethylene layers 5 and 6 are joined together all around the faceplate, either by sewing, or preferably by heat sealing, in order to maintain the assembly. To this end, the first layer of polyethylene on the outer surface, ie 5, is extended to flexibly wrap the assembly, including the fracturable layer which is relatively rigid, until it reaches the opposite extreme layer 6 which slightly overflows from the intermediate layers. which remain free inside the envelope thus formed.

De préférence, lors de l'utilisation pour la protection contre des tirs en rafales notamment, les feuilles de fibres de polyéthylène sont cousues de manière à éviter tout écartement entre les feuilles dans l'épaisseur au moment de l'impact, écartement qui engendrerait alors une baisse de l'efficacité du système dans la mesure ou seules les feuilles de surface travailleraient.Preferably, when used for protection against burst fire in particular, the sheets of polyethylene fibers are sewn so as to avoid any spacing between the sheets in the thickness at the time of impact, spacing which would then generate a reduction in the efficiency of the system insofar as only the surface sheets would work.

Il convient cependant de répéter que la forme de réalisation particulière ainsi décrite n'est pas limitative et que bien des variantes peuvent y être apportées en pratique sans sortir pour autant du cadre de l'invention.It should however be repeated that the particular embodiment thus described is not limiting and that many variations can be made in practice without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (9)

  1. A bullet-proof armor (1) for body protection comprising a flexible structure constituted by a stacking of sheets that are providing an uniform distribution of the stresses and that are made of fibers in the form of a nonwoven material, and at least one therein embedded layer of a non metallic material (3) that is fracturable under the effect of a force to deform its surface, and constituted of an alveolate structure showing fragility under dynamic stresses, the fracturable walls thereof being oriented perpendicular to the surface exposed to the deforming force.
  2. An armor in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that said layer of material comprising fracturable walls is made of polyamide fiber paper impregnated with a phenolic resin.
  3. An armor in accordance with any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that said layer of fracturable material is covered on the surface exposed to the impacts with a large number of thin flexible sheets of polyethylene and in that it is covered on the surface opposite to that exposed to the impacts with a low number of thin flexible sheets of polyethylene.
  4. An armor in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said layer of fracturable material is sandwiched between two extreme layers of flexible material which envelop it and are fastened together at its margins.
  5. An armor in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the sheets of said flexible structure are made of layers of polyolefin fibers laid in one direction and of layers of fibers laid in another direction.
  6. An armor in accordance with claims 5, characterized in that said fibers are polyethelene fibers.
  7. An armor in accordance with any one of the claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said walls of said alveolate structure, which liberate an empty space during fracturation, are made of an honeycombed organic material.
  8. An armor in accordance with claim 7, characterized in that the organic material forming the walls of the fracturable layer is made of polyamid resin paper.
  9. An armor in accordance with claim 7, characterized in that said walls of said alveolate structure, which liberate an empty space during fracturation, are made of phenyl phthalamide resin paper impregnated with a phenolic resin.
EP92403090A 1991-11-26 1992-11-17 Ballistic resistant protection armour for the human body Expired - Lifetime EP0544561B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR9114628 1991-11-26
FR9114628A FR2684174A1 (en) 1991-11-26 1991-11-26 BALLISTIC SHIELDING OF BODY PROTECTION.

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EP0544561A1 EP0544561A1 (en) 1993-06-02
EP0544561B1 true EP0544561B1 (en) 1997-01-29

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US (1) US5317950A (en)
EP (1) EP0544561B1 (en)
AT (1) ATE148553T1 (en)
CA (1) CA2083577A1 (en)
DE (1) DE69217180T2 (en)
ES (1) ES2099808T3 (en)
FR (1) FR2684174A1 (en)

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE69217180T2 (en) 1997-08-07
US5317950A (en) 1994-06-07
CA2083577A1 (en) 1993-05-27
ES2099808T3 (en) 1997-06-01
DE69217180D1 (en) 1997-03-13
ATE148553T1 (en) 1997-02-15
FR2684174B1 (en) 1995-04-14
FR2684174A1 (en) 1993-05-28
EP0544561A1 (en) 1993-06-02

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