Improving the stab-resistance performance of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene fabric intercalated with nano-silica-fluid

High performance fibers impregnated by shear thickening fluids (STFs) have been recognized as a kind of latent stab-resistant materials. In our work, the rheological properties of various nano-silica particles in different carriers were first investigated, some of which showed the typical characteristic of shear thickening phenomena. And then, the effects of add-on and surface hydrophilicity of silica particles, the type and concentration of the carriers were discussed in detail. It was found that the systems of hydrophilic silica in ethylene glycol, butylenes glycol and polyethylene glycol (PEG) demonstrated shear thickening; moreover, the reversibility of rheological behaviors of hydrophilic silica-PEG300 suspensions indicated energy dissipation existed within a circulation of shear stress. Furthermore, the detail mechanism of STF based nano-silica particles was explored and a process diagram was presented. Finally, the stab-resistance and morphology of cutting edge of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fabric impregnated STF composites were investigated and the results were analyzed. The higher silica add-on was benefit to the improvement of the stab resistance of the composites.