Flammability Testing of Fabrics Treated with Oil-Based Shear Thickening Fluids

Abstract

Fabrics treated with paraffinic oil and a paraffinic oil-based shear thickening fluid (STF) are evaluated under flammability testing. The tested fabrics include a woven cotton-nylon blend, a woven Kevlar textile, and a hybrid ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) Kevlar felt. The oil-based STF is a colloid of silica nanoparticles in a paraffin oil. Test results show that the flammability of fabrics with oil addition is slightly increased, while the flammability of fabrics with STF addition was unchanged or slightly decreased. These results suggest that oil-based STFs could be used as fabric treatments, such as to enhance ballistic, puncture, or stab performance, without a significantly negative effect on flammability. Furthermore, concepts are presented for tailoring an STF to provide enhanced flammability resistance.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 01, 2014
Accession Number
ADA601457

Entities

People

  • Eric D. Wetzel
  • Paul Nenno
  • Wai Chin

Organizations

  • United States Army Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Alkanes
  • Body Armor
  • Chemical Synthesis
  • Chemistry
  • Combustion
  • Dielectric Polymers
  • Flame Propagation
  • Flash Point
  • Materials
  • Materials Science
  • Materials Testing
  • Measurement
  • Mechanical Properties
  • Nanoparticles
  • Resistance
  • Shear Stresses
  • Textiles

Readers

  • Nanocomposite Materials Science
  • Petroleum Engineering
  • Reinforced Composite Materials

Technology Areas

  • Biotechnology