Analysis of impact energy absorption of kevlar and polyester composite impregnated with corn starch shear thickening fluid

Abstract

Kevlar and polyester (PET) composite structures have been developed through layering by impregnation with optimized corn starch shear thickening fluid (CS−STF), prepared using corn starch (CS) and polyethylene glycol (PEG). Corn starch has been characterized for particle size and distribution through dynamic light scattering. The CS and PEG ratio (40:60, 46:54, 52:48 and 58:42) has been studied through fluidity and shear thickening measurements using in-house funnel collector and electro-mechanical shearing stirrer through ampere measurement studies respectively. Based on the established impact energy calibration curve and energy calculations, the impact energy absorption of CS−STF impregnated fibre composites have been studied. The order of layering of the STF in impregnated textile structures has been systematically studied for effective impact energy absorption. Shearing studies reveal that at and above shearing time of 3000 µs, shear thickening is found to be prominent for the optimum CS: PEG ratio of 52: 48. Similar trend is also observed in the impact energy absorption studies of textile structures impregnated with the CS−STF. One layer of kevlar woven fabric followed by one or more layers of PET nonwovens with CS−STF show good performance in impact energy absorption. Similar trend is also observed in 6, 5 and 4 kevlar layering. It is observed that the presence of more than one layer of kevlar on the top of the nonwovens in the composite does not contribute; rather it decreases the energy absorption. The treated structures show <br /> 100 % antimicrobial activity by AATCC 100 method and they do not develop smell, while the untreated samples develop microbes with intense smell.