Effects of different silica particles on quasi-static stab resistant properties of fabrics impregnated with shear thickening fluids

Abstract The effects of fumed silica in shear thickening fluids at a weight fraction of 20% and submicron silica particles in shear thickening fluids at a weight fraction of 65% on quasi-static stab resistance properties of fabrics impregnated with shear thickening fluids were investigated on a basis of a similar shear thickening behavior. For better understanding of the effects of these two different silica particles on resistance mechanism of fabric during quasi-static stab, the single yarn tensile test was carried out to obtain tensile properties of single yarn and yarn pullout test was performed to examine interface friction among yarns. The results show that aramid fabrics treated with shear thickening fluid exhibit a significant enhancement in quasi-static stab resistance. Further, quasi-static stab resistant properties of treated fabrics containing submicron silica particles are better than that of treated fabrics containing fumed silica particles. Possible mechanism responsible for the enhancement is discussed in detail.