Effects of different silica particles on quasi-static stab resistant properties of fabrics impregnated with shear thickening fluids

• The effects of particle characteristics on the quasi-static stab resistance properties of fabrics are studied.
• STFs prepared by fumed silica and submicron silica particles with similar shear thickening behaviors are synthesized.
• The fabric treated by submicron silica particles shows superior stab resistance properties.
• The stab resistance properties depend on inter-yarn friction of fabrics.

The effects of fumed silica in shear thickening fluids at a weight fraction of 20% and submicron silica particles in shear thickening fluids at a weight fraction of 65% on quasi-static stab resistance properties of fabrics impregnated with shear thickening fluids were investigated on a basis of a similar shear thickening behavior. For better understanding of the effects of these two different silica particles on resistance mechanism of fabric during quasi-static stab, the single yarn tensile test was carried out to obtain tensile properties of single yarn and yarn pullout test was performed to examine interface friction among yarns. The results show that aramid fabrics treated with shear thickening fluid exhibit a significant enhancement in quasi-static stab resistance. Further, quasi-static stab resistant properties of treated fabrics containing submicron silica particles are better than that of treated fabrics containing fumed silica particles. Possible mechanism responsible for the enhancement is discussed in detail.