EFFECTS OF HIGH-LOW TEMPERATURE ON PROTECTIVE PERFORMANCE OF SHEAR STIFFENING GEL MODIFIED ETHYLENE-VINYL ACETATE FOAM

Ethylene-vinyl acetate foam (EVA) is widely employed as a cushioning material in bulletproof vests, knee and elbow pads due to its exceptional shock-absorbing capabilities. Our research team has successfully modified EVA by incorporating shear stiffening gel, resulting in EVA/SSG composite foam with enhanced impact protection properties. To investigate the effects of extreme temperature environments on the cushioning performance of EVA/SSG foam, the research team conducted a comprehensive study utilizing dynamic thermomechanical analysis and universal compression testing machines. These tests evaluated the mechanical behavior of EVA/SSG foam across a temperature range from –50°C to 50°C, revealing the temperature-dependent variations in loss modulus, storage modulus, and yield strength of the material.