Impact Resistant Flax Fiber Fabrics Using Shear Thickening Fluid

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

In this manuscript, the authors investigated the rheology of STFs at varying concentrations of nanosilica dispersed in polyethylene glycol (PEG) at different temperatures. It is found that the puncture resistance of both flax fabrics treated with STFs and hybrids treated with STFs to increase significantly, and the concentration of STFs can controlled the puncture resistance.

1.    In the rheological test, there is no related data of 70 %, please add.

2.    The reference [29] appearing in the part of 3.2 was mistakenly written as [9], please correct it.

3.    How the specific energy absorption in Figure 11 was calculated? Please add the relevant formula.

4.    The author showed in the article that treating flax fabrics with STF affected their puncture resistance and ballistic impact resistance. Relevant causes and analysis appear only in the conclusions. If possible, please explain the relevant reasons in more detail and put these contents in Results and Discussion.

5. How to keep the anti-aging performance of the material after impregnation.

6. If possible, add the mechanical properties of fabrics before and after impregnation.

Author Response

1. In the rheological test, there is no related data of 70 %, please add.

Unfortunately, samples at 70% could not be tested with our equipment. See lines 146-148 for this clarification.

2. The reference [29] appearing in the part of 3.2 was mistakenly written as [9], please correct it.

Both references to [9] was the intent in section 3.2. Reference [29] appears in section 2.3.2 when the ASTM method of puncture testing is described.

3. How the specific energy absorption in Figure 11 was calculated? Please add the relevant formula.

Added. See lines 388 – 391.

4. The author showed in the article that treating flax fabrics with STF affected their puncture resistance and ballistic impact resistance. Relevant causes and analysis appear only in the conclusions. If possible, please explain the relevant reasons in more detail and put these contents in Results and Discussion.

Added further discussion and explanation in section 3.3 SEM Imaging. See lines 436 – 443.

5. How to keep the anti-aging performance of the material after impregnation.

This is a good point brought up by the reviewer, but unfortunately was not part of the original project scope. This aspect should definitely be considered in future studies.

6. If possible, add the mechanical properties of fabrics before and after impregnation.

We could not find or measure this information from either fabric supplier, but we were able to provide general tensile properties of each fiber type prior to textile construction. See lines 99-100 and 102-103.

Reviewer 2 Report

Fehrenbach and coworkers report the enhancement of impact resistance of flax fiber fabrics using shear thickening fluids (nanosilica dispersed in polyethylene glycol). Although the paper is well-organized, it still needs some improvements. Therefore, I suggest that the paper can be accepted after a minor revision. Some suggestions are as follows:

1. The rheological testing results can be fit to suitable rheological models.

2. Please explain why nanosilica can improve puncture resistance and impact resistance.

3. What is the interaction between nanosilica and fabric?

Author Response

1. The rheological testing results can be fit to suitable rheological models.

This is a good point brought up by the reviewer, but unfortunately was not part of the original project scope. This aspect should definitely be considered in future studies.

1. Please explain why nanosilica can improve puncture resistance and impact resistance.

Added further discussion and explanation in section 3.3 SEM Imaging. See lines 436 – 443.

Is this better addressed by adding to section 3.3, or do we need to add to the background?

1. What is the interaction between nanosilica and fabric?

Added further discussion and explanation in section 3.3 SEM Imaging. See lines 436 – 443.

Round 2

Reviewer 1 Report

The author has made the necessary additions and revisions as suggested by the reviewers, and the paper is acceptable.

Reviewer 2 Report

Because the authors have revised the manuscript adequately, I suggest that the paper can be accepted in the current form.