Compressive behaviors of warp-knitted spacer fabrics impregnated with shear thickening fluid

This paper reports the compressive behavior of warp-knitted spacer fabrics (WKSF) impregnated with shear thickening fluid (STF) when subjected to quasi-static compression and low-velocity impact loadings. Silica/Polyethylene glycol suspension was prepared as the STF. From the rheological properties of the STF, it was observed that the STF experience shear thickening transition at a specific shear rate. The compressive behavior of the STF impregnated WKSF has a significant strain rate effect under compressions. The STF impregnated WKSF also shows higher energy absorption and a lower peak load than those of the WKSF under the same impact loadings. It was concluded that the STF-impregnated WKSF can be used as damping material for personal protection. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.