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Preparation and properties of a p ‐aramid fabric composite impregnated with a magnetorheological fluid for body armor applications
Author(s) -
Kang Tae Jin,
Hong Kyung Hwa,
Jeong Heeyun
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
polymer engineering and science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.503
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1548-2634
pISSN - 0032-3888
DOI - 10.1002/pen.23826
Subject(s) - aramid , materials science , composite material , magnetorheological fluid , composite number , delamination (geology) , rheology , matrix (chemical analysis) , magnetic field , fiber , paleontology , physics , quantum mechanics , biology , subduction , tectonics
A polyurethane (PU)‐magnetorheological fluid (MRF)/ p ‐aramid fabric composite was fabricated, and its mechanical properties were subsequently investigated. The contribution of the PU‐MRF matrix to the impact resistance of the system was then discussed. MRFs consist of stable suspensions of magnetite particles within a carrying fluid. Therefore, when an external magnetic field is applied, the MRFs exhibit drastic and reversible changes in rheological properties as a result of the field‐induced ordering of the particulate phase. We then attempted to develop new and enhanced bulletproof materials by incorporating MRF and PU in a p ‐aramid fabric. It was found that when a magnetic field was applied, the mechanical properties of the PU‐MRF/ p ‐aramid fabric composite improved. It was also found that adding a PU matrix improves the impact performance of the PU‐MRF/ p ‐aramid fabric composite, relative to a neat p ‐aramid fabric and a MRF/ p ‐aramid fabric composite with similar areal density. The improved impact performance of the PU‐MRF/ p ‐aramid fabric composite appears to be because the PU film and MRF enable different energy absorbing mechanisms, including particle friction, fabric/matrix debonding, matrix cracking, and delamination, which are not observed in neat p ‐aramid fabric systems. The findings of this study are thought to be important from a design viewpoint of soft armors. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 55:729–734, 2015. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers