The effect of molecular weights of poly(propylene glycol) on rheological properties of shear thickening fluids
Małgorzata Głuszek, Agnieszka Idźkowska, Mikołaj Szafran
Quarterly No. 2, 2013 pages 92-95
DOI:
keywords: STF (shear thickening fluids), viscosity, nanosilica, poly(propylene glycol), ceramic-polymer composites
abstract Ceramic-polymer composites have great importance in many branches of industry. They are used, among the others in electronics, optoelectronics, plastics for the construction of nuclear reactors or spacecrafts. They also play an important role in the production of materials for the protection of the human body. These materials are formed of shear thickening fluids (STF), also referred to as dilatant fluids. They are non-Newtonian liquids, which are characterized by an increase in viscosity as a function of shear rate. Materials and devices based on shear thickening fluids dissipate an energy associated to shocks, impacts and vibrations very well. This paper presents the results of research on the effects of a molecular weight of dispersing agent on the rheological properties of shear thickening fluids. In the first step, liquids with poly(propylene glycol) of a molecular weight of 400, 425 or 725 g/mol (used as a dispersing agent) were prepared. As a ceramic powder, a nanosilica with an average particle size of 14 nm was used. Concentration of the powder was 12 vol.% or 15 vol.%. In the second step of this study, the rheological properties of the prepared fluids were analysed at 25 °C. The effects of the type of used glycol and the content of solid phase on the rheological properties were examined. More favorable results were obtained for the systems of 15% by volume of the solid phase. The influence of the temperature on therheological properties was also checked. Parallel measurements for systems with a poly(propylene glycol) of a molecular weight of 400, 425, 725 g/mol and a powder 12 vol.% at 37 °C were conducted. The effects of the viscosity leap were lower but were received at higher shear rates.