Effect of shear thickening fluid on mechanical properties of para-aramid fabrics

Shear thickening fluids (STF) are the materials of future to be used in numerous high-tech applications, including protection against impact. The researchers have investigated the effect of particle size and their shape on the impact resistance of fabrics using the fixed concentration of particles for STF preparation. In addition to particle shape and size, particle concentration may be an important factor that can contribute to the yarn-to-yarn friction and ultimately enhancing their impact resistance. The objective of this study is to compare the mechanical performance of para-aramid fabric treated with non-Newtonian STF made by using three diffrent percentages of silica particles. The para-aramid fabric was impregnated with STF and needle penetration, tensile strength, and energy absorption were checked in dry and wet state. The microparticles percentage in STF has a direct relation with the mechanical performance of samples. Fabric impregnated in STF with 7% of silica microparticles has higher tensile strength puncture resistance, and impact resistance, 1.4, 3 and 1.75 times respectively as compared to the fabric sample without STF.