Intralayer interfacial sliding effect on the anti-impact performance of STF/Kevlar composite fabric

Abstract The influence of intralayer interfacial sliding among yarns on the enhancement of anti-impact and energy absorption was investigated in this work. Firstly, the rheological test and yarn pull-out test were conducted to analyze the relationship between the state of shear thickening fluid (STF) and the interfacial sliding among yarns. Then, the influence of impact velocity and constraint conditions on the interfacial sliding were studied by drop hammer and ballistic tests. The results showed that the impact speed and constraint conditions would affect the relative interfacial sliding rate among yarns, which would affected the rheological state of STF and the anti-impact performance of fabric. Besides, the mathematical model of the relationship between projectile velocity and fabric kinetic energy under the strong constraints was given by combining with the results of finite element analysis (FEA) of ballistic impact. This work provided a design idea for the body armor with high protective performance.