Characterization of shear-thickening fluid-filled foam systems for use in energy absorption devices

The absorption of energy during impacts is ubiquitous in society. From our car seats to body armor, the ability to divert or dissipate unwanted energy is an aspect that has many engineering challenges. One approach to this issue is the use of fluid-filled elastomeric foams. In the present thesis, the fluid within these foams is a non-Newtonian shear-thickening fluid composed of 300 nm silica particles suspended in a solvent, ethylene glycol, at high concentrations, 45-55 %. The field of energy absorption using elastomeric foams has been extensively researched in industry. In addition, the effects and mechanism driving shear-thickening fluids (STF's) has also been well studied in industries involving particle suspensions, such as paints and medical applications. This research intends to combine the analysis of these two systems in an effort to characterize advanced energy absorption mechanism. It was found that the primary factors dominating fluid filled foams containing this STF are the volume fractions and compressional strain rate. In addition, the energy absorption capability of these foams has been compared to that of 'dry' foams and Newtonian-fluid filled foams, and has demonstrated an increase in energy absorption capabilities.

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Mechanical Engineering.

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2004

Author dc:creator

• Ramirez, Jose G. (Jose Guadalupe), 1980-

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Gareth McKinley.

• Mechanical Engineering.

Statement dc:rights

• M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/32777

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/32777