Lightweight shear stiffening gel with enhanced mechanical and thermal-insulating performance for advanced fire suit. (January 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Xuan, Tingting; Wang, Sheng; Sun, Shuaishuai; Deng, Huaxia; Wang, Wenhui; Zhang, Junshuo; Liu, Shuai; Lou, Congcong; Chen, Hong; Zhou, Jianyu; Hu, Yuan; Gong, Xinglong
• Is Part Of: Composites. Volume 164(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-01
• Subjects: A. Aramid fibres -- B. Rheological properties -- B. Mechanical properties -- B. Thermal properties; Composite materials -- Periodicals; Manufacturing processes -- Periodicals; Composite materials; Manufacturing processes; Periodicals; 620.11805
• DOI: 10.1016/j.compositesa.2022.107312
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1359-835X

Abstract

Graphical abstract: A lightweight and thermal-insulating shear stiffening gel (LT-SSG) with anti-impact was developed via introducing hollow glass microspheres BR20 into shear stiffening gel (SSG). It was lightweight enough to be placed on a leaf. LT-SSG showed the ability to resist impact. Finally, a multifunctional Kevlar safeguarding suit (MKSS) with flame retardant property was fabricated. It exhibited good adiabatic effect which could isolate heat at high temperatures and prevent heat loss at low temperatures. Highlights: LT-SSG with lightweight, heat-insulation and anti-impact properties was prepared. LT-SSG showed enhanced protective effect due to the existence of BR20 particles. A multifunctional Kevlar safeguarding suit (MKSS) was assembled. MKSS was capable to resist fire combustion and displayed good adiabatic effect. MKSS effectively prevented the heat loss from humans in cold environment. Abstract: Herein, a lightweight and thermal-insulating shear stiffening gel (LT-SSG) with anti-impact was prepared by introducing insulating glass microspheres BR20 into SSG. The density of LT-SSG was 49.09% lower than that of SSG. Meantime, LT-SSG showed excellent energy absorption effect. The remained impact force of LT-SSG was only 0.23 kN compared with 0.41 kN of SSG when impacted from 20 cm. Moreover, LT-SSG with good thermal insulation performance could effectively isolate surrounding temperature to 42.6 ℃ at 80 ℃ and block external cold temperature to protect the heat loss from human body. While SSG as well as the breakage of BR20 particles absorbed and dissipated much impact energy, proving its excellent protective properties. Finally, a multifunctional Kevlar safeguarding suit (MKSS) was developed. It showed the ability to resist low-speed drop hammer and high-speed ballistic impact. To this end, the reported LT-SSG showed promising applications in fire suit and body armors.