Title: Design and Fabrication of an Energy Absorbing Hybrid S-Glass/Epoxy Composite Laminate with Shear Thickening Fluid Infused Fabrics for Impact Applications

Authors: Erik A. Hobbs, Richard D. Dombrowski,Norman Wagner,Bazle Haque

DOI: 10.33599/nasampe/c.22.0028

Abstract: This paper presents the work of incorporating shear thickening fluid (STF) enhanced textiles as energy absorbing layers in composite laminates. STFs are a nanocomposite material that provide a rate sensitive response that offers superior energy absorption as compared to conventional materials. Woven textiles intercalated with STF have previously been shown to have increased ballistic performance compared with the same neat textile. STF technology has been leveraged to increase the impact performance of composite structures. Through the present work sponsored by a National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) SBIR Phase II award, it has been shown the addition of an ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fabric treated with STF as a core material greatly increase impact resistance of a fiberglass composite structure while having a lower areal density. Extensive low velocity impact (LVI) testing was performed to optimize the composite lay-up fiber orientation, as well as the number and location of the STF absorber layers. Leak tests and X-ray scans completed on the impacted test panels showed that the hybrid panel can withstand impact energies of 300J, which was 3-fold higher than an all-fiberglass composite panel and over 6-fold higher than a carbon fiber panel of similar thickness. Importantly for the intended space suit application, the STF-enhanced composite did not have through thickness damage, and was able to retain pressure after impact. This hybrid composite structure was then used to produce a prototype spacesuit component demonstrating the ability to produce highly impact-resistant composite materials in complex geometries and with interfaces with hard elements.

References: [1] Withers, P, Vignjevic, R, Campbell, J, Hughes, K, Orlowski, M, Ree, J & Garcea. “Soft body impact resistance of composite foam core sandwich panels with unidirectional corrugated and tubular reinforcements” International Journal of Impact Engineering (2019), https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijimpeng.2019.103320 [2] Fowler, J.N.; Pallanta, A.A.; Swanik, C.B.; Wagner, N.J. “The Use of Shear Thickening Nanocomposites in Impact Resistant Materials.” Journal of Biomechanical Engineering-Transactions of the Asme.;137, 054504 (2015). [3] Lee Y.; Wetzel, E.; Wagner, N. “The ballistic impact characteristics of Kevlar woven fabrics impregnated with a colloidal shear thickening fluid” Journal of Materials Science, 38, 2825-2833, (2003) [4] Cwalina, C. D., and N. J. Wagner “Material properties of the shear-thickened state in concentrated near hard-sphere colloidal dispersions', Journal of Rheology, 58, 949-67 (2014). [5] Wagner, N. J., and J. F. Brady “Shear thickening in colloidal dispersions”, Physics Today, 62: 27-32 (2009) [6] Lee Y.; Wetzel, E.; Wagner, N. “The ballistic impact characteristics of Kevlar woven fabrics impregnated with a colloidal shear thickening fluid” Journal of Materials Science, 38, 2825-2833, (2003) [7] Decker, M; Halbach, C.; Nam, C.; Wagner, N.; Wetzel, E. “Stab-resistance of shear thickening fluid (STF)-treated fabrics”, Composites Science and Technology 67, 565-578 (2007) [8] Ross, A.; Rhodes, R.; Graziosi, D.; Jones, B.; Lee, R.; Hague (Gama), B.Z.; Gillespie, J.W. Jr. “Z-2 Prototype Space Suit Development” 44th International Conference on Environmental Systems, 13-17 July 2014, Tucson, Az. [9] Nettles, A.T., ""Permeability After Impact Testing of Composite Laminates,"" Composite Materials: Testing and Design Fourteenth Volume, ASTM STP 1436, C.E. Bakis, Ed., ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA, 2003

Conference: CAMX 2022

Publication Date: 2022/10/17

SKU: TP22-0000000028

Pages: 10

Price: $20.00