Shear thickening fluids using silica-halloysite nanotubes to improve the impact resistance of p-aramid fabrics

In this study, p-aramid (Kevlar) fabrics were impregnated with silica and silica-halloysite nanotube based shear thickening fluids to improve the impact resistance performance. Shear thickening fluids (STF) were synthesized using spherical silica particles of 100 nm diameter. Two virgin STF were prepared using silica concentrations of 60% and 65% (w/w). Then, halloysite nanotube (Hal nanotube) compounded STF were synthesized by adding Hal nanotube of 0.05, 0.1, 0.2 and 0.5% (w/w) with the existing STF. Rheological study confirmed more intense shear thickening behavior in silica-Hal nanotube compounded STF. Impact resistance of p-aramid fabrics increased drastically after the impregnation with STF. Further improvement in impact resistance was observed after silica-Hal nanotube compounded STF impregnation.