Dynamic stab resistance of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fabric impregnated with shear thickening fluid

• Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fabric impregnated with shear thickening fluid (STF) was fabricated.
• The dynamic stab resistance of UHMWPE fabric was enhanced by impregnation with STF.
• STF decreased the yarn mobility and accelerated the transverse response of fabric.
• Increasing the molecular weight of dispersing medium led to worse stab resistance.

The dynamic stab resistance properties of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fabrics impregnated with shear thickening fluids (STFs) were investigated. The chemical composition of dispersing medium in STF was varied. The resistance mechanism of woven fabrics against knife and spike threats was discussed and the role of STF in stab resistance improvement of UHMWPE fabrics was analyzed in detail. To further improve the stab resistance performance, the influence of polyethylene glycol (PEG) additives with different concentrations and molecular chain lengths on the stab resistance of STF/UHMWPE composites was investigated. The results demonstrate that the dynamic stab resistance of UHMWPE fabric is significantly enhanced due to the presence of STF. STF effectively decreases the yarn mobility and accelerates the transverse response of UHMWPE fabric. With the molecular weight of dispersing medium increasing, the energy dissipated by STF/UHMWPE fabrics decreases. Further, the stab resistance properties of STF/UHMWPE composites, especially the spike resistance, are improved with the increase of the concentration and the molecular chain length of additive.

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