The 18th International Conference on Electrorheological Fluids and Magnetorheological Suspensions (ERMR 2023)

Shear thickening fluids (STFs) have recently gained significant attention due to their unique rheological properties, which make them promising candidates for various industrial applications. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of temperature on the compression behaviour of STFs. To achieve this goal, we performed normal compression tests on the STF using a parallel plate rheometer with a temperature control accessory. The measuring temperature ranged from -20°C to 20°C with a 10°C increment. The STF used in this study was composed of silica particles suspended in an ethylene glycol matrix with a 1:4 weight ratio. The STF was prepared using a simple mixing method and sonication to ensure uniform particle dispersion. The equivalent stiffness of the STF was derived from the normal compression tests, and the results showed that the equivalent stiffness of the STF increased with an increasing shear rate, which is consistent with previous studies. This behaviour is attributed to the shear-induced alignment of the suspended particles, which increases the resistance to compression. Interestingly, we also observed a temperature-dependent behaviour, where the equivalent stiffness increased with decreasing temperature. Overall, our findings suggest that the compression behaviour of STFs is strongly influenced by temperature and that STFs may exhibit different properties under different temperature conditions. This study provides valuable insights into the development and application of STFs in various fields, including impact protection materials, body armour, and prosthetic devices. The temperature-dependent behaviour of STFs may offer a means of tuning their mechanical properties to meet specific application requirements.
 

Shear thickening fluids,Rheology,Temperature dependency,Equivalent stiffness