LAUSR

Whereas most previous studies have focused on improving the penetration resistance of Shear Thickening Fluids (STFs) treated composites, in this study, the dynamic compressive response of single and multi-ply 3 D E-Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) composites with the STF matrix was investigated by using a drop-weight low-velocity impact test. The experimental results revealed the STF improved the compressive and cushioning performance of the composites such that with increasing its concentration, further improvement was observed. The five-ply composite containing the STF of 30 wt% silica nanoparticles and 1 wt% carbon nanotubes (CNTs) reduced the applied peak force by 56% and 26% compared to a steel plate and five-ply neat samples, respectively. A series of repeated impacts was performed, and it was found that the performance of high-concentration composites is further decreased under this type of loading.