An experimental study on ballistic impact response of jute reinforced polyethylene glycol and nano silica based shear thickening fluid composite

Abstract

The present study aims at assessing the ballistic impact behaviour of jute reinforced polyethylene glycol (PEG) and nano silica based shear thickening fluid (STF). Preparation of STF is achieved by dispersing the nano silica particles at different weight percentage loadings of 10%, 20%, 30% and 40% in PEG and the effect of various weight percentages loading of nano silica particles on ballistic performance of the proposed composites is studied experimentally. Rheological studies of the prepared STF’s showed that at all nanosilica loading shear thickening occurred and also the shear thickening was highest at higher loading of nano silica at lower rate of shear. The study reveals that the ballistic performance of the jute fabric is enhanced with impregnation of STF. The ballistic results indicate that energy absorption of the proposed composites is enhanced with increased loading of nano silica particles and at the same time, the effect of STF was reduced. Specific energy absorption (SEA) of the neat fabric and the proposed composites was made use of for the purpose of comparing the energy absorption capabilities. It is found that the SEA of proposed composites with 10% nano silica loading is lesser than the neat fabric both in case of 3 layers and 6 layers. It was also found that proposed composite with 40% nano silica loading exhibits highest SEA compared to neat fabric and its counterparts with its SEA being 3.21 and 3.76 times highest compared to three and six layers of neat fabrics respectively.