Battelle Memorial Institute

C Byron Tolbert

Jay R Sayre

Jeffrey L Ellis

Rachel Thurston

Kelly J Jenkins

Vince McGinniss

Tim B Hutson

Sundee Angel

A method of treating fibers to improve resistance to high temperatures and relative humidity includes providing poly(p-phenylene-2,6-benzobisoxazole) (PBO) fibers, exposing the PBO fibers to an atmosphere of supercritical COsaturated with an epoxy silane, i.e. 3-glycidoxypropyl methyldimethoxysilane. The PBO fibers are subjected to a first pressurizing and heating stage at a first temperature (50&#xb0; C.) for a first period of time. The PBO fibers are then subjected to a second pressurizing and heating stage including increasing the temperature to a second temperature (110&#xb0; C.) and holding at the second temperature for an additional period of time. The PBO fibers include 2-5 wt % of 3-glycidoxypropyl methyldimethoxysilane after diffusing the COout of the PBO fibers. The fibers are particularly useful in making lightweight body armor system components.

PBO fibers with improved mechanical properties when exposed to high temperatures and high relative humidity

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Orient, OH, United States of America

C Byron Tolbert