Energy absorption analysis of STF/Kevlar composite fabric based on 3D morphology of impact basin under low-speed impact

A new method based on the impact basin morphology is proposed to quantitatively evaluate the energy absorption characteristics and the impact deformation state of the fabric. Low-speed nonpenetrating impact test was conducted on Kevlar 49 plain fabric and the oily clay was used to completely record the ultimate deformation of fabric. The 3D depth morphology of the impact basin was measured via fringe projection profilometry (FPP). The impact profile curve was extracted to analyze the impact deformation attenuation trends and output the yarn strain to calculate the strain energy. Shear thickening fluid (STF) was used to form STF/Kevlar composite fabric to enhance its energy absorption capacity and improve the resistance to deformation. The results show that neat fabric and STF/Kevlar composite have different impact deformation attenuation trends, the STF/Kevlar composite demonstrates better energy absorption and smaller impact deformation at same impact energy as that of the neat fabric.