Rheology of Fumed Silica and Polyethylene Glycol Shear Thickening Suspension with Nanoclay as an Additive

Mansi Singh; Sanjeev K Verma; Ipsita Biswas; Rajeev Mehta

doi:10.14429/dsj.69.12420

Mansi Singh Thapar University, Department of Chemical Engineering, Patiala - 147 004 http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7526-3054
Sanjeev K Verma DRDO-Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory, Chandigarh - 160 030
Ipsita Biswas DRDO-Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory, Chandigarh - 160 030
Rajeev Mehta Thapar University, Department of Chemical Engineering, Patiala - 147 004 http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9953-3031

DOI: https://doi.org/10.14429/dsj.69.12420

Keywords: Shear thickening fluids, Rheology, Viscoelasticity

Abstract

Shear thickening properties of fumed silica-polyethylene glycol (PEG) with shear thickening fluid (STF) of different concentrations and with an organically modified clay, Nanomer I.28 E as nano-additive have been investigated by both steady-state and dynamic state rheology. Difference in rheology if instead of nanoclay, an equal wt% of additional fumed silica is added to 20 per cent fumed silica-PEG200 STF, has been studied. At 25 °C, in case of addition of nanoclay the increase in critical viscosity is less than that observed for same additional amount of fumed silica. Interestingly, an opposite result is seen at higher temperatures i.e. 45 °C and 55 °C. Moreover, the difference in steady-state and dynamic state viscosity values decreases on addition of nanoclay. It is noted that an increase in concentration of clay increases the value of dynamic parameters whereas for STF of only fumed silica particles the values are constant irrespective of the change in concentration. More importantly, ease of processing, elasticity, stability and consistency of rheological results of STF increases to a significant extent on addition of relatively inexpensive nano-additive.

Author Biographies

Mansi Singh, Thapar University, Department of Chemical Engineering, Patiala - 147 004

Ms Mansi Singh received her BTech (Chemical Engineering) followed by MTech from IP University, New Delhi. All the experimental work has been carried out by Ms Mansi Singh in her capacity as JRF/SRF in the ARMREB project awarded to Dr Rajeev Mehta. She is registered for the PhD under the supervision of Dr Rajeev Mehta. Her area of interest include polymers and specifically shear-thickening fluids.

In the current study, she carried out all the experimental work in her capacity as JRF/SRF in the ARMREB project awarded to Dr. Rajeev Mehta.

Sanjeev K Verma, DRDO-Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory, Chandigarh - 160 030

Dr Sanjeev K. Verma obtained his Masters and PhD from Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla. Presently he is working as Scientist ‘D’ with Ballistic Evaluation of Material group of – Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory, Chandigarh.

In the current study, he guided in synthesis of STF and analysis of data.

Ipsita Biswas, DRDO-Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory, Chandigarh - 160 030

Ms Ipsita Biswas is working as Scientist ‘G’ in DRDO-Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory, Chandigarh. She has experience in ballistics and high strain rate study.

In the current study she guided in analysis of data and execution of experiment.

Rajeev Mehta, Thapar University, Department of Chemical Engineering, Patiala - 147 004

Dr Rajeev Mehta received his BTech (Chemical Engineering) from IIT Delhi, MS from Virginia Tech, USA, and PhD from Thapar University. His main interest lies in the area of Polymers and polymer nanocomposites.

In the current study, his capacity as the Principle Investigator and the supervisor is very much involved with this research work- planning the experimental work and also analysis of the data, along with the conclusions arrived at.