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

Shear thickening fluids (STF) are a class of whose viscosity significantly rises under external loads. The research on these 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 combination STF other sustainable materials. Cork is naturally occurring cellular material with negative carbon footprint superior energy absorption properties. With varying concentrations material, cork agglomerates were formed. As an innovative point, analysed blends homogeneous, contrasting previous literary works. Samples contained from 0 to 30 wt.% STF. A series experiments conducted quasi-static dynamic conditions (100 J impact tests) determine various mechanical responses. Increasing concentration (20 wt.%) will influence behaviour by providing softer deceleration rates dispersing more through disaggregation mechanisms.