Structured material for impact protection

Abstract

A structured material for impact protection includes a plurality of tubular members formed from a thermoplastic elastomer material. The plurality of tubular members are arranged in a bundle such that the central axes of the plurality of tubular members are substantially parallel, and adjacent tubular members are secured to one another along their length. A method of forming a structured impact protection material includes arranging a plurality of tubes formed from a thermoplastic elastomer material into a selected shape. The tubes are arranged in a layer with central axes of the tubes aligned to be parallel to each other. Heat is applied to adjacent first end portions of tubes of plurality of tubes and the adjacent first end portions are secured to each other via thermal bond. Heat is applied to adjacent second end portions of the tubes to thermally bond the adjacent second end portions to each other.

1 . A method of forming a structured impact protection material comprising:
 arranging a plurality of tubes formed from a thermoplastic elastomer material into a selected shape, the tubes in a layer with central axes of the plurality of tubes aligned to be parallel to each other;   applying heat to adjacent first end portions of tubes of plurality of tubes;   securing the adjacent first end portions to each other via thermal bond;   applying heat to adjacent second end portions of the plurality of tubes; and   securing the adjacent second end portions to each other via thermal bond;   wherein adjacent middle portions of the plurality of plurality of tubes between the first end portions and the second end portions are movably adjacent to one another.   
     
     
         2 . A method of forming a structured impact protection material comprising:
 arranging a plurality of tubes formed from a thermoplastic elastomer material into a selected bundle shape, the tubes in a layer with central axes of the plurality of tubes aligned to be parallel to each other;   applying heat to the plurality of tubes so as to thermally bond adjacent tubes to one another along their length;   cutting the plurality of tubes along a direction not parallel to the central axes of the plurality of tubes to obtain a layer of bonded tubes.