High-velocity impact performance of shear-thickening fluid/kevlar composites made by the padding process

Padding is known to enhance the dyeing of fabric. In this study, shear-thickening fluid (STF)/multilayer Kevlar composites were constructed through a padding process. This paper describes the padding process used, and discusses the ballistic impact and stab resistance of the resulting composites. Padding STF into Kevlar fabric is better than impregnation. The resulting composites are thinner, lighter, and more flexible than conventional Kevlar body armor, while providing similar protection. Previous studies have shown that padding improves the low-velocity impact resistance of single-layer Kevlar. This study demonstrates that padding also improves the high-velocity impact performance of STF/multilayer Kevlar composites. POLYM. COMPOS., 40:3040-3049, 2019. (c) 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers