Effect of multi-phase STF on the high-speed impact performance of shear-thickening fluid (STF)-impregnated Kevlar Composite Fabrics. Issue 1 (January 2021) - Wang, Fadong
Abstract: Shear thickening is a non-Newtonian flow behavior, characterized by an increase in viscosity with the applied shear rate. Due to this superior performance of shear thickening fluid (STF), it has received a great deal of attention in the field of armor protection. In this paper, the properties of nanoscale silica STF systems are modified by the addition of nanocellulose (CNF). The rheological properties of the prepared STFs were tested. Kevlar fabrics were immersed in multiphase STF solutions to make STF/fabric composites. The results showed that the addition of nanocellulose (CNF) enhanced the steady-state and dynamic aspects of the shear-thickening fluid. The rheological properties of the shear-thickening fluid were strongest when the content of nanocellulose added was 0.2%, and the single yarn extraction force of the Kevlar composite was much stronger than that of the pure Kevlar without STF. The CNF-modified STF enhances the impact resistance of the composite.