Shear Thickening Fluids in Cork Agglomerates: An Exploration of Advantages and Drawbacks

Guilherme José Antunes e Sousa, Ana Rita Santos Rocha, Gabriel Ferreira Serra, Fábio António Oliveira Fernandes and Ricardo José Alves de Sousa ()
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Guilherme José Antunes e Sousa: LASI—Intelligent Systems Associate Laboratory, Center for Mechanical Technology and Automation, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, 3810-183 Aveiro, Portugal
Ana Rita Santos Rocha: LASI—Intelligent Systems Associate Laboratory, Center for Mechanical Technology and Automation, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, 3810-183 Aveiro, Portugal
Gabriel Ferreira Serra: LASI—Intelligent Systems Associate Laboratory, Center for Mechanical Technology and Automation, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, 3810-183 Aveiro, Portugal
Fábio António Oliveira Fernandes: LASI—Intelligent Systems Associate Laboratory, Center for Mechanical Technology and Automation, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, 3810-183 Aveiro, Portugal
Ricardo José Alves de Sousa: LASI—Intelligent Systems Associate Laboratory, Center for Mechanical Technology and Automation, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, 3810-183 Aveiro, Portugal

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 8, 1-17

Abstract: Shear thickening fluids (STF) are a class of fluids whose viscosity significantly rises under external loads. The research on these fluids has been advancing in recent years regarding prospective practical applications, including developing impact-absorbing composites. Following the green agendas governments and legislators advocate, this study investigates the combination of STF and other sustainable materials. Cork is a naturally occurring cellular material with a negative carbon footprint and superior energy absorption properties. With varying concentrations of STF material, cork agglomerates were formed. As an innovative point, the analysed blends are homogeneous, contrasting with previous literary works. Samples contained from 0 to 30 wt.% of STF. A series of experiments were conducted in quasi-static and dynamic conditions (100 J impact tests) to determine the various mechanical responses. Increasing the concentration of STF (20 and 30 wt.%) will influence the mechanical behaviour of cork agglomerates by providing softer deceleration rates and dispersing more energy through disaggregation mechanisms.

Keywords: shear thickening fluids; viscosity; shear rate; impact resistance; lightweight armour; crashworthiness; sustainability; cork; composites; eco-friendly (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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