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

Abstract

The low-velocity impact behavior of shear thickening fluid (STF) impregnated aramid fabric having different numbers of layers was investigated throughout this study to determine a relationship between the number of layers and perforation energy. Firstly, STF solutions, including polyethylene glycol, silica nanoparticles, and ethanol, were prepared by mixing with a homogenizer. Solutions containing 5%, 10%, and 20% silica nanoparticles by weight were prepared, and rheological analysis was performed. 20% weight fraction solution showed the optimum thickening behavior among the three solutions. After thickening behavior and the critical shear rate were determined from rheological analysis, the solution was impregnated into the aramid fabric. Then, specimens with different numbers of layers, from 1 to 8, were prepared for low-velocity impact experiments. A drop-weight impact test was applied at different energy levels from 20 J to 240 J, and perforation energy was determined. Finally, an equation that has a form of power function was fitted to use it for potential energy absorption applications such as ballistic impact.