Liquid Armor

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Liquid Armor

• By Daniel Rey Garza
• MEEN 3344

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Liquid Armor

• Liquid armor uses a shear thickening fluid made
  up of hard silica particles suspended in
  polyethylene glycol.
• Since it is a liquid, it can be applied to
  fabrics to increase their strength such as
  currently existing Kevlar vests.

Image of Silica nanoparticles
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Properties/Applications

• Light and flexible.
• Very deformable.
• Can withstand a wide range of temperatures.
• Hardens under sudden application of pressure.
• Returns to a liquid form after pressure is
  released.

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Comparison
Normal Kevlar fabric after impact by a fragment
simulating a projectile.
Kevlar fabric with shear thickening fluid, after
impact by a fragment simulating projectile.
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How it works

• The shear thickening fluid acts similarly to wet
  cornstarch paste. As you move your finger through
  it slowly, it will act as a viscous fluid. If you
  forcefully move your finger, the cornstarch will
  harden preventing any further movement. After
  removing your finger, the cornstarch will return
  to its viscous behavior.

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References

• http//www.rdecom.army.mil/rdemagazine/200402/itl_
  arl_liquidarmor.html
• http//www.technovelgy.com/ct/Science-Fiction-News
  .asp?NewsNum108
• http//www.military.com/NewsContent/0,13319,usa3_0
  42104.00.html