Pure silica based composite liquid armor and its production method

Abstract

The invention relates to a composite liquid armor based on pure silica nanoparticles derived from sea sand and its production method. In our invention, composite liquid armor can be utilized in both military and civilian defense industries. Alongside its durability, the armor offers high performance, enables ease of movement, and features a lightweight, free-particle modular structure. By providing a domestic alternative, it reduces dependency on foreign technologies in this field.

Description

[0001] PURE SILICA BASED COMPOSITE LIQUID ARMOR AND ITS PRODUCTION METHOD TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The invention relates to a composite liquid armor based on pure silica nanoparticles derived from sea sand and its production method. In our invention, composite liquid armor can be utilized in both military and civilian defense industries. Alongside its durability, the armor offers high performance, enables ease of movement, and features a lightweight, free-particle modular structure. By providing a domestic alternative, it reduces dependency on foreign technologies in this field.

[0003] PRIOR ART

[0004] Our country, due to its geopolitical position and natural resources, attracts considerable attention. This necessitates the development of advanced defense mechanisms against external threats. The defense industry encompasses research and development, engineering, production and service activities related to military equipment, supplies and facilities. Undoubtedly, one of the most critical areas of the defense industry is armor technology.

[0005] Currently, one of the most advanced composite armors is liquid armor. Liquid armor is a groundbreaking technology, particularly in ballistic protection and security sectors. Compared to traditional rigid armor systems, liquid armor is significantly lighter, more flexible, and provides greater freedom of movement to the user. Liquid armor can be defined as the use of non-Newtonian fluids within armor systems. These armors typically utilize a specific fluid known as "shear-thickening fluid (STF)," which underlies their functionality. In normal conditions, this fluid is highly flowable and soft, but when subjected to a sudden impact or a high-velocity force, it solidifies and hardens almost instantaneously, providing exceptional durability. This unique property grants liquid armor high impact resistance, low density, and superior mobility. Consequently, liquid armor effectively protects against ballistic threats, knife strikes, and cutting tool attacks.

[0006] Liquid armors can be used not only by military and security personnel, but also in many different areas of daily life. This technology is used especially in clothing and equipment used by workers in industrial areas or athletes. For example, it is widely used in clothing that protects athletes against accidents or in equipment that protects workers against the hazards they may be exposed to when working with heavy machinery.

[0007] The primary advantages of liquid armor lie in its lightweight and flexible structure, offering significant comfort to users. The rapid hardening of STF fluids upon sudden impact provides effective protection against ballistic threats. However, conventional liquid armor technologies generally rely on synthetic silica nanoparticles or other nano-materials synthesized in laboratory settings. These materials are often costly to procure and produce, posing challenges in terms of economic feasibility and environmental sustainability.

[0008] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The invention relates to a composite liquid armor based on pure silica nanoparticles derived from sea sand and its production method. In our invention, liquid armor is synthesized using nano-silica powders produced from natural silica sand, enabling fully domestic production. The resulting product offers high impact resistance, extremely low density and excellent mobility. Due to its lightweight nature and superior impact resistance, the liquid armor can be employed in body armors, tanks, military aircraft, and armored vehicles, making it a next-generation armor. Accordingly, the target group for this liquid armor is the defense industry. Moreover, by directly utilizing sea sand, the invention provides a more cost-effective and environmentally friendly production process compared to existing liquid armor technologies. Nano-silica powders produced from natural sea sand can also be marketed separately. These high-purity nano-silica powders find extensive application in various industries such as cosmetics, paint, cement, lubricants, and ceramics.

[0010] Technical advantages of the invention;

[0011] - Since sea sand is an inexpensive and easily accessible resource, the production process is sustainable.

[0012] - Pure silica nanoparticles provide stronger and more durable protection compared to existing technologies.

[0013] - The use of natural materials reduces the carbon footprint and ensures an environmentally friendly production process.

[0014] - Leveraging sea sand encourages the effective use of natural resources and supports industrial sustainability. Aspects features and advantages of the invention compared to known technologies;

[0015] - Fully domestically produced.

[0016] - The first industrial synthesis of nano-silica powder from sea sand globally, enabling lower production costs compared to competitors.

[0017] - Reduced armor costs due to the low-cost synthesis of nano-silica powder, which serves as a reinforcing material for liquid armor.

[0018] - Versatility in application across various military vehicles and industrial fields. - Development into a marketable product.

[0019] - Creation of a more compact and lighter product.

[0020] LIST OF FIGURES

[0021] Figure 1. Diagram of the production method for composite liquid armor based on pure silica nanoparticles

[0022] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] In our invention, sea sand is subjected to a series of physical and chemical processes, including sieving and classification, acid washing, calcination, mechanical grinding, ultrasonic grinding, and high-energy milling, to obtain pure silica nanoparticles. These nanoparticles are then mixed with polyethylene glycol (PEG) as the carrier fluid to create a liquid armor exhibiting "shear-thickening fluid (STF)" properties.

[0024] The unique physical and chemical properties of silica nanoparticles derived from sea sand provide enhanced resistance to impacts and energy absorption capacity. These characteristics enable the armor material to be both flexible and highly durable. Additionally, the sustainability of sea sand as a resource is crucial for liquid armor production.

[0025] The production method for silica-based composite liquid armor using pure silica nanoparticles derived from sea sand is as follows:

[0026] - Collection of sea sand samples,

[0027] - Purification of collected sea sand samples by washing with at least one of the chemicals hydrochloric acid (HCI), hydrofluoric acid (HF) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH), - Processing the purified sea sand to reduce it to nano-sized particles between 50-150 nm.

[0028] - Performing sieving, classification, gravity separation, drying and passing through REMS magnetic separators to obtain particles from purified and cleaned sand particles,

[0029] - Increasing the purity of silica sand to >99% by grinding it to a nano size of 50- 150 nm using a planet ball mill,

[0030] - Processing nano-sized silica by chemical processes such as acid washing, sodium hydroxide treatment, sol-gel processing and calcination,

[0031] - Combining the obtained nano-silica powders (20-50%) with PEG material (50- 80%, depending on the ratio of nano-silica powders used) to synthesize the STF,

[0032] - Kevlar fabric is immersed in the synthesized liquid (STF) and the liquid is integrated into the fabric, STF / Kevlar composites are prepared,

[0033] - Combining the STF and Kevlar to produce aramid fabric composites.

Claims

CLAIMS1. It is a production method for a composite liquid armor based on pure silica nanoparticles obtained from sea sand that is robust, high-performance, allows easy movement and has a lightweight free particle module, characterized by the following steps;- collection of sea sand samples,- purification of collected sea sand samples by washing with at least one of the chemicals hydrochloric acid (HCI), hydrofluoric acid (HF) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH),- obtaining of particles from purified sand particles through sieving, classification, gravity separation, drying, and passing through REMS magnetic separators,- increasing of the purity of silica sand to >99% by grinding it to a nano size of 50-150 nm using a planet ball mill,- processing of nano-sized silica by chemical processes such as acid washing, sodium hydroxide treatment, sol-gel processing and calcination,- synthesizing of STF by combining nano-silica powders (20%-50%) with PEG material (50%-80%),- preparing of STF / Kevlar composites by integrating the liquid fabric into the Kevlar fabric by immersing it in the synthesized liquid (STF), - obtaining of aramid fabric composites by combining STF and Kevlar.

Images