From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia   (Redirected from Shear
thickening fluid) Jump to: navigation, search  A dilatant (also
termed shear thickening) material is one in which viscosity
increases with the rate of shear strain. Such a shear thickening
fluid, also known by the acronym STF, is an example of a non-
Newtonian fluid.  Comparison of the behavior of four types of
fluids with shear rate as a function of applied shear stress  A
dilatant is a Non-Newtonian fluid where the shear viscosity
increases with applied shear stress. This behavior is only one
type of deviation from Newton’s Law, and it is controlled by
such factors as particle size, shape, and distribution. The
properties of these suspensions depend on Hamaker theory and Van
der Waals forces and can be stabilized electrostatically or
sterically. Shear thickening behavior occurs when a colloidal
suspension transitions from a stable state to a state of
flocculation. Such behavior is currently being researched for
use in body armor applications by c