Ballistic impact performance of aramid fabrics impregnated with single-phase shear thickening fluids STFs and SiC additive multi-phase shear thickening fluids

This study presents STF/Fabric composite configurations by impregnating single-phase shear thickening fluids (S-STF) and multi-phase shear thickening fluids (M-STF) into aramid fabrics. S-STFs were first prepared at different concentrations by weight (25%, 40%, 55%, and 65%). In addition, M-STFs were produced by adding silicon carbide (SiC) additive to S-STFs. As a result of the impregnation of the produced STFs on Aramid fabrics, 30-layer composite samples were prepared. To determine the ballistic performance of the produced samples, tests were carried out with a single-stage gas gun system. The shots were performed at an average velocity of 670 m/s. Ballistic tests show that STF-impregnated fabric samples have better ballistic performance compared to fabric without STF. The STF65/Aramid sample is notable for a 238% increase in energy absorption. In addition, the STF40SiC10/Aramid composite sample produced with M-STF was found to absorb 18.7% more energy compared to the STF40/Aramid sample. It has been confirmed that keeping the weight ratio of the additive at an optimum level will contribute to ballistic performance. These results contributed to determining the optimum concentration amount for STF/Aramid composites at high speed. Highlights: S-STF and SiC additive M-STFs were produced. STFs were impregnated into 30-layer Aramid fabrics. Ballistics tests were performed on S-STF/Aramid and M-STF/Aramid composite samples with a single-stage gas gun system. The effects of S-STF and M-STF on ballistic performance were investigated. The addition of STF enhanced ballistic performance by increasing energy absorption. © 2024 Society of Plastics Engineers.