Honeywell International Inc.

Alliedsignal Inc.

Chok Bin Tan

Charles Arnett

Thomas Yiu-Tai Tam

Qiang Zhou

Alfred L Cutrone

Thomas Y-t Tam

Thomas Y Tam

Gene C Weedon

James J Dunbar

Elizabeth S Bledsoe

Lori L Wagner

Brian Duane Arvidson

Gel-spun multi-filament polyethylene yarns possessing a high degree of molecular and crystalline order, and to the drawing methods by which they are produced. The drawn yarns are useful in impact absorption and ballistic resistance for body armor, helmets, breast plates, helicopter seats, spall shields, and other applications; composite sports equipment such as kayaks, canoes, bicycles and boats; and in fishing line, sails, ropes, sutures and fabrics.

Process for drawing gel-spun polyethylene yarns

Methods for preparation of high strength yarns having superior yarn-to-yarn uniformity of denier, tenacity and tensile modulus and uniform unidirectional fibrous sheets. Ballistic composites prepared from these yarns and fibrous sheets have improved uniformity of ballistic resistance. The drawn yarns, fibrous sheets and articles made therefrom are more uniform than the prior art and are useful in applications requiring impact absorption and ballistic resistance, such as body armor, helmets, breast plates, helicopter seats, spall shields; composite sports equipment such as kayaks, canoes, bicycles and boats; and in fishing line, sails, ropes, sutures and fabrics.

Process for making uniform high strength yarns and fibrous sheets

A process for drawing essentially diluent-free gel-spun polyethylene multi-filament yarns in a forced convection air oven and the drawn yarns produced thereby, The process conditions of draw ratio, stretch rate, residence time, oven length and feed speed are selected in specific relation to one another so as to achieve enhanced efficiency and productivity. The drawn yarns are useful in armor, composites, fishing line, ropes, sutures, fabrics and other applications.

Drawn gel-spun polyethylene yarns and process for drawing

High strength polyethylene yarns useful in ballistic-resistant, cut-resistant and other applications, fabrics produced from these yarns and the methods by which the yarns and fabrics are made. An untwisted yarn of the invention comprises a plurality of filaments in essentially parallel array and from about 0.5 to 5 weight percent of a water-dispersible binder material covering less than half the surfaces of the filaments. The yarn has a tenacity greater than about 17 g/d, a tensile modulus greater than about 300 g/d, fewer than 20 entanglements/meter in a scoured state and a width less than given by the formula&#x2266;0.055&#x221a;where W is the yarn width in millimeters under a tensile load of 0.01 g/d measured on a flat surface and d is the yarn denier.

Polyethylene protective yarn

An entangled multifilament yarn made from high strength filaments having a tenacity of at least about 7 g/d, a tensile modulus of at least about 150 g/d and an energy-to-break of at least about 8 J/g. The yarn is used to make ballistic resistant articles.

Entangled high strength yarn

An article including a woven fabric for impeding the passage of air, the fabric having an air permeability of less than about 15 cfm/ft.sup.2 and including at least one multifilament yarn having a longitudinal axis, the yarn being made of high strength filaments having a tenacity of at least about 7 g/d, a tensile modulus of at least about 150 g/d and an energy-to-break of at least about 8 J/g. Preferably, the high strength filaments are extended chain polyethylene.

Growing community of inventors

Richmond, VA, United States of America

Chok Bin Tan