Determination of Energy Absorption Capabilities of Shear Thickening Fluid Impregnated Aramid Fiber Fabrics for Ballistic Applications

Abstract

Low velocity impact behavior of shear thickening fluid (STF) impregnated aramid fabric having different number of layers had been investigating throughout this study to determine a relationship between number of layers and perforation energy. Firstly, STF solutions including polyethylene glycol, silica nanoparticles and ethanol were prepared by mixing a homogenizer. Solutions containing 20% silica nanoparticles by weight were used in this study. Rheological analysis was performed to observe thickening behavior of solution. After thickening behavior and critical shear rate was determined from rheological analysis, solution was impregnated into aramid fabric. Then, specimens having different number of layers from 1 to 8 were prepared for low velocity impact experiments. A drop weight impact test was applied at different energy levels and perforation energy was determined. Finally, a curve fitting equation was found to use it for potential energy absorption applications such as ballistic impact.