Reinforcement effect of STF on impact properties of aramid, basalt, and carbon fiber reinforced polymer using SHPB

Abstract

The objective of this research is to characterize the high strain rate impact performance of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) impregnated with shear thickening fluid (STF) by using a split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) test. Three types of FRP with aramid, basalt, and carbon fibers are prepared, followed by impregnated with 15 wt.% STF and 20 wt.% STF to develop FRP composited materials (FRP-STF), respectively. The results demonstrate that STF impregnated significantly enhances the high strain rate impact performance for the AFRP, BFRP, and CFRP. Nevertheless, the enhancing effect is different for different types of FRP. Under 3800 s-1, when the mass fraction of STF is 20%, the increase rate of BFRP stress peak is the highest, reaching 58.9%. However, the best increase of energy absorption peak is AFRP, reaching 226.8%. Under 6100 s-1, the stress response of AFRP-20%STF is the best, and the energy absorption peak of CFRP-20%STF reaches 710.5 J, about 2.3 times that of pure CFRP. This is also reflected in the energy absorption per unit density curve. The results also show three FRPs have significant strain rate effects, especially on the energy absorption peak. The maximum increase rates are 101.9%, 710.7%, and 1070.5%, respectively.