Response and adaptability of composites composed of the STF-treated Kevlar fabric to temperature

Shear thickening fluid (STF) and STF-treated Kevlar fabric (STKF) has been widely studied to explore its response and adaptability within a wide temperature variation in this work. With decreasing of temperature from 50 degrees C to -50 degrees C, the maximum viscosity of the STF was increased from 2.7 x 10(3) Pa.s to 1.5 x 10(8) Pa-s and the frictional force between filaments was enhanced significantly. Stab resistant performance of the STKF was strengthened by more than 2 times. In the meanwhile, burst strength of the Kevlar fabric was increased by 5-15 times for the introduction of the STF, and the burst strength and the absorbed energy of the STKF were increased by 25% and 67%, respectively. Response and adaptability of the STKF to cold environment indicated a potential application of the STKF in protective armor designed for cold environment.

Automated summary

The response and adaptability of shear thickening fluid (STF) and STF-treated Kevlar fabric (STKF) to temperature variations were studied. It was found that STKF showed enhanced stab resistant performance and burst strength in cold environments, making it suitable for protective armor design for cold environments.