Silica Nanoparticle/TPU Coating Imparts Aramid with Puncture Resistance and Anti-corrosion for Personal Protection

In extreme environments, the simultaneous requirements of puncture resistance, acid and alkali resistance, and chemical corrosion resistance are crucial for the design of safety protection materials. To address these requirements, this study employed a “scratch coating” technique, combining modified silica nanoparticles (nano F–SiO₂) and thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers (TPU) with aramid fabrics. This approach ensured that the composites were both soft and puncture resistant. Additionally, a simple and cost-effective spraying method was utilized to create a multifunctional coating comprising nanosilica, micron-polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), and fluorinated alkyl silane. Furthermore, the study investigated the effect of different lamination angles of the fabric on puncture resistance. The results demonstrated that the soft composite exhibited outstanding puncture resistance, resistance to strong acids and bases, and super-double sparsity. Notably, the maximum puncture resistance reached 515.50 N, which was 33.02 times higher than that of the pure fabric (15.61 N). Similarly, the maximum knife puncture resistance reached 247.42 N, representing a 10.77-fold increase compared to that of the pure aramid fabric (22.97 N). Notably, the obtained coating demonstrated outstanding superhydrophobicity with a water contact angle of 163.8° and a sliding angle of 3.2°. It exhibited remarkable durability when immersed in acidic or basic solutions for 120 h and exposed to outdoor conditions for more than 30 days. Importantly, the micronano coating displayed exceptional stability even when subjected to highly corrosive chemicals such as concentrated sulfuric acid (98%) and sodium hydroxide (40%) for up to 12 h. In summary, this study introduces a novel approach and method for designing flexible puncture-resistant composites with multifunctional properties. It offers valuable insights and contributes to advancements in the field of protective materials..