High strain rate behavior of STF-treated UHMWPE composites

This study systematically investigates the effect of Shear Thickening Fluid (STF) treatment on the high strain rate properties of UHMWPE (Ultra High Molecular Weight Poly Ethylene) composites. Spherical nanosilica particles of size 100 nm were used for the synthesis of STF. The high strain rate impact studies were accomplished on in-house designed and fabricated Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar (SHPB) experimental set-up. Compression moulded UHMWPE variant Gold Shield® was used as the ballistic composite. Both STF-treated as well as neat Gold Shield® specimens were subjected to high strain rate impact testing. From the experimental results and Fractography studies it was revealed that STF treatment enhanced the ballistic resistance of Gold Shield® composite material. In the SHPB experiments, the improved ballistic performance of STF-treated Gold Shield® specimens was manifested in terms of higher peak stress, specimen strain rates and impact toughness.