Influence of geometry constraint in finite space on impact resistance of shear thickening fluid

The shear thickening area formed by impact load and the restriction boundary conditions play an important role in the impact resistance and energy absorption characteristics of the shear thickening fluid (STF). In order to reveal the low speed impact resistance of STF under finite space constraints, this paper carried out research through the preparation of STF, viscosity test and design of low speed drop weight impact experiment. Firstly, STF samples with different mass fractions were prepared by self-made. Then, the rheological tests were implemented to obtain the characteristics of STF viscosity under different shear rate loads. Next, a straightforward test through rapidly pulling the glass rod out of the STF was adopted to observe the shear thickening mechanism of STF. After that, two kinds of STF samples with different mass fractions and good shear thickening performance were selected for low speed drop weight test. In the drop weight test, three containers with different geometries were designed to equivalent the finite space constraints to reveal the low speed impact resistance of STF under finite space constraints. Finally, combined with the experimental results, a series of numerical models are established to study the influence of geometric parameters in finite space on the impact resistance of STF. Through the research of this paper, the influence of geometry constraint in finite space on impact resistance of STF was obtained, which can provide reference for the geometric design of protective structure filled with STF.