High strain-rate characterization of shear thickening fluid reinforced with MWCNT nanoparticles using SHPB

Abstract

In this study, the stress–strain behavior and energy absorption of silica/multi-walled carbon nanotubes shear thickening fluid (SiO2/MWCNT-STF) at different strain rates were studied using a split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) apparatus. The SHPB results revealed that SiO2/MWCNT-STFs have more significant strain rate effects than SiO2-STF upon impact. Furthermore, the addition of MWCNT to SiO2-STF elicited a strain rate effect, wherein both the stress and energy absorption peaks varied proportionally with strain rate. Specifically, at a deformation rate of 5100 s−1, the energy absorption peak of SiO2-STF increased by 168.5 % and 229.1 % with the addition of 0.8 % and 1.2 % MWCNT, respectively.