Laminated shield for missile structures and substructures

摘要

A protective laminate has high impact and heat resistance suitable for use as an exterior shield for missile structures and substructures. The laminate includes one or more outer plies of a resin-impregnated woven fabric made from high tensile strength fibers in which a majority of the fibers in each ply extend in the same direction. The laminate also includes one or more sub-plies of a resin-impregnated woven fabric made from high tensile strength fibers woven in a generally uniform pattern. Each of the sub-plies is coated with a separate layer of finely divided hollow microspheres. The woven fabric plies overlie one another and the resin system bonds the plies together at the interface between them to form the protective laminate. In one embodiment the fibers are aramid fibers and the resin system contains an elastomer to bind the fabric plies together in a rubbery matrix. The microspheres are crushable to absorb energy upon impact. The laminate is bonded to the outer wall structure of a missile, or other airborne vehicle, so the majority of the fibers in the outer plies extend in the same direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the missile. The laminate can include an outer coating of an elastomeric material for added dust and rain erosion protection.