ImpacGard

			for Safety

	A well documented issue with high strength composites is their poor resistance to shattering and "spalling" upon impact. This can propel shards of high tensile strength material onto a race track, inside an aircraft, at the scene of a vehicle accident, on a hockey rink, or increase the risk of a catastrophic penetration in defense or aerospace.

			Carbon Epoxy Composite
	60J Impact Test Results


					Today's Approach... Our tests indicate that adding a conventional epoxy-based high tenacity fiber reinforced composite layer to a carbon composite to enhance shatter resistance actually degrades the impact absorption of the structure. As shown here, a composite part with the epoxy layer is easily penetrated.

	Conventional Epoxy FRC


					New Approach...Powered By P-Wave™... Using Kubota Research's P-Wave™ IR radiation system and ImpacGard™ process to consolidate a P-Wave™ Pseudo-prepreg onto the surface of a reinforced composite preserves the integrity of the high tenacity fiber. A single layer of ImpacGard™ increases impact absorption of composite materials up to 40%, and dramatically improves shatter and spalling containment.

	ImpacGard™ is a patent pending composite facing that absorbs impact energy to reduce the risk of major structural damage, and minimize the potential for hazardous debris.

									Products Patent pending ImpacGard™ standard products can be used in an environment between -40°C to 100°C. Custom products can be formulated to increase maximum temperature up to 220°C without sacrificing performance. ImpacGard™ Fx is a front guard for dramatic improvement in the impact resistance of composites, which are prone to fracturing on impact. It will absorb impact energy at the surface and is not thermally sensitive. It has very low compression set % (≤ 5%) in a range between -40°C to 100°C, and a Young's Modulus of about 120 kPa over a wide temperature range. Options for the high tenacity fiber in ImpacGard� Fx are Kevlar®, Twaron® aramid, Vectran® LCP and Dynema® UHMW. Single layer thicknesses of 1 mm, 2 mm and 3 mm can be consolidated to meet varying requirements. Typical matrix resins are ionomer, polyurethane, polyester and polyamide. ImpacGard™ Bx is a back guard for composites to dramatically improve shatter resistance and containment of debris upon impact. It will absorb impact energy by a cross-interaction of the matrix resin and high tenacity fiber properties. Options for the high tenacity fiber in ImpacGard� Bx are Kevlar®, Twaron® aramid, Vectran® LCP and Dynema® UHMW. Typical matrix resins are ionomer, polyurethane, polyester and polyamide. Multiple layer configurations are available.

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