An anisotropic composite material assembly comprising a first layer with a tensile modulus different from its compressive modulus and that exhibits variable modulus behavior. The first layer elastically buckle under compressions. A second layer has a tensile modulus substantially the same as its compressive modulus. The first and second layers are joined together, and the assembly is bendable in a first direction with an outer surface of the first layer being in compression and the assembly has a first bending stiffness during bending in the first direction. The assembly is bendable in a second direction opposite the first direction with the outer surface of the first layer being in tension, and the assembly has a second bending stiffness greater than the first bending stiffness during bending in the second direction.

A hybrid composite tube includes a metallic tube, a first silica fiber layer positioned radially of the metallic tube, a fiber reinforced polymer layer positioned radially of the first silica fiber layer, and a second silica fiber layer positioned radially of the fiber reinforced polymer layer, wherein the first silica fiber layer thermally insulates the fiber reinforced polymer layer and the second silica fiber layer thermally insulates the fiber reinforced polymer layer

A multi-layered material with low thickness is provided, having properties of thermal and electric insulation, flame retardant capacity and high mechanical strength, useful for the manufacture of personal protective equipment and more in general of work items for the protection against arc flash effects. The material provides a high grade of protection against arc flash with good flexibility and comfort for the wearer, who is thus protected without being hindered in movements.

An impact force dampening and defusing structure includes a plurality of components arranged in a grid array. A component has a three-dimensional geometric shape that includes an impact receiving surface area and an impact defusing surface area. The impact defusing surface area is larger than, and a distance d from, the impact receiving surface area. The component includes a material composition and, when an impact force strikes the impact receiving surface area of the component and the impact force dampening and defusing structure is in position to protect a body part, the component contributes to reducing pressure on the body part based on the material composition, the distance d, the impact receiving surface area, and the impact defusing surface area.

A moisture permeable composite material for a wide variety of applications including without limitation prosthetic liners, orthotic liners, clothing, space suits and environmental suits comprising: an inner layer comprising a hydrogel, or a thin tough hydrogel membrane, or dual network hydrogel; and an outer layer comprising a porous elastomer or an open cell foam.

A V-ribbed belt includes a compression rubber layer containing a vulcanizate of a rubber composition, a tension member, and a tension layer, and has a side part of the compression rubber layer being a ground surface coming into contact with pulleys, and a bottom part of the compression rubber layer being a non-ground surface not coming into contact with pulleys. The V-ribbed belt has, on a surface of the bottom part, a composite layer containing a fiber assembly and a vulcanizate. The fiber assembly contains a heat-resistant fiber which is not melted at a vulcanization temperature of the rubber composition and has a weight per unit area of 25 g/m.sup.2 or less. The vulcanizate of the rubber composition impregnated among fibers of the fiber assembly.

Multilayer composite materials having a camouflaged appearance. More particularly, camouflaged tactical vest covers having slots for the webless attachment of accessories. An easily colored outer fabric is provided with a colored camouflage pattern and backed with a non-colored high tenacity fabric for enhanced durability. A colored intermediate adhesive is employed to maintain a camouflaged visual appearance without the added complexity of dying the high tenacity fibers of the backing material.

According to exemplary inventive practice, ceramic powder or slurry is selectively deposited at many discrete locations on each of many fiberglass fabric substrates. The sizes and/or shapes of the ceramic deposits vary among the substrates. The substrates are selectively ordered and stacked so that perpendicular through-plane alignments of respective ceramic deposits form selected three-dimensional geometric shapes. The resultant stack of substrates, characterized by many three-dimensional ceramic inclusions, is impregnated with an elastomer or an epoxy that binds the ceramic-deposited substrates together, resulting in a finished composite product. Inventive composite structures can be multifariously designed and embodied to afford selected ballistic and/or structural and/or electromagnetic qualities. Another mode of inventive practice provides for incorporation of the above-described inventive composite product as a layer in a multilayer composite system that also includes a high strain-rate-sensitivity-hardening polymer layer, a hybrid composite fabric layer, a ceramic layer, and a polymeric ballistic fabric layer.

Disclosed is a power transmission belt having a belt body made of rubber, and a cord embedded in the belt body so as to form a helical pattern having a pitch in a belt width direction. The cord is coated with an adhesion layer formed by an adhesion treatment and containing a rubber component, and the adhesion layer is in contact with a rubber composition containing cellulose-based fine fibers.

Systems and methods of providing a composite material that is bendable but substantially resists stretching under tension. One embodiment may take the form of a composite material formed by over-molding a woven glass fiber with silicone. The woven glass fiber may be rolled out with a silicon polymer melted into the woven fabric as the rolling process continues. The composite of the two materials may provide a material that bends easily but does not substantially stretch.