Ballistic Impact Performance of Ultra‐High Molecular Weight Polyethylene With Multiphase Shear Thickening Fluids Impregnation and Hybrid Configuration

ABSTRACT To enhance the ballistic impact performance of unidirectional ultra‐high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), this study proposes an enhancement strategy using multiphase shear thickening fluids (MSTFs) impregnation and hybrid configuration. Firstly, six types of shear thickening fluids (STFs) were prepared using silicon dioxide particles of three different diameters. Subsequently, UHMWPE fabrics impregnated with these six STFs were subjected to split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) tests and ballistic impact tests. SHPB test results showed that the absorbed energy of the fabrics impregnated with single‐phase STFs increased by 95.24% to 220.00%, the fabrics impregnated with MSTFs increased by 150.48% to 228.57%, and the hybrid configuration fabrics achieved a maximum increase of 241.90%. The results of ballistic impact tests demonstrated that, compared with neat fabric, the specific energy absorption of single‐phase STFs treated fabrics increased by up to 9.36%, those treated with MSTFs increased by up to 13.05%, and the hybrid configuration fabrics achieved a maximum improvement of 18.24%. These results prove that the enhancement strategy of MSTFs impregnation and hybrid configuration can significantly enhance the ballistic performance of fabrics. This study provides new strategies for the development of next‐generation ballistic materials.