Tailoring the Rheology of Silica-Based Shear Thickening Fluids by Adding Novel Boron Nitride Nanoparticles and Their Effect on the Impact Resistance of Kevlar Fabrics
摘要
Limited information is available on the effect of the addition of nanofillers to silica-based shear thickening fluids (STFs) for impact resistance applications. Here, the addition of the synthesized boron nitride (BN) nanofillers into a silica-based STF has been explored. The mean size and zeta potential (d, ζ) of the silica nanoparticles and BN nanoparticles were (350 nm, − 40 mv) and (700 nm, -20mv), respectively. Various samples of STFs prepared with different amounts of silica, and BN particles were characterized through rheological properties. The effect of STFs on the impact resistance and yarn pullout force of the Kevlar® 802 fabric was evaluated. STF, with 69 wt% silica and 1 wt% BN, exhibited the highest peak viscosity of 143 Pa.s. Upon impregnation of this STF onto the Kevlar®802 fabric, a significantly high-energy absorption (597%) compared to neat Kevlar®802 fabric was observed. Moreover, the yarn pullout force for this system was found to be very high (889%). The reasons for the enhancement in properties are explained. It was observed that this STF had 39.64% higher yarn pullout force and 17% less energy absorption during impact than the STF with 70 wt% silica.