Would a 5 gallon bucket of non-newtonian fluid stop a bullet?

Question

My NNF would be corn starch and water, shot with a small caliber rifle round, maybe a .22. Would it stop the bullet?

I think Im going to try it but I want to hear from the people.

now that i think of it, a .22 would shatter.

FMJ 30-30 is my new weapon of choice.

Answer 1

Not clear 5 gal would do it. I have seen a 55 gal oil drum filled with ordinary water stop a 38 cal. Cearly the viscosity of the corn starch would increase as the bullet sped through it. So if 5 gal of viscous corn starch and water does not stop the bullet, it would have a better chance at it than Newtonian (plain water).

Answer 2

Not clear 5 gal would do it. I have seen a 55 gal oil drum filled with ordinary water stop a 38 cal. Cearly the viscosity of the corn starch would increase as the bullet sped through it. So if 5 gal of viscous corn starch and water does not stop the bullet, it would have a better chance at it than Newtonian (plain water).

Answer 3

It depends on what type of non-Newtonian fluid. A Newtonian fluid has constant viscosity at any speed. A shear-thinning fluid has less viscosity the higher the shear speed. A shear-thickening fluid has more viscosity the higher the shear speed. Corn starch and water forms a shear-thickening (dilatant) fluid.

The volume of the fluid is not the important thing. Only the depth of the fluid in the direction of the shot is important. I think that a bullet fired into 1 foot of your dilatant fluid would be stopped, with distance to spare. Small bullets fired from rifles tend to have very poor penetration (only a few feet) in plain water, and the drastic increase in viscosity of a dilatant fluid will slow the bullet even faster.

Answer 4

Depends on the distance you're shooting from as well, and also if you hit your target.
A .22 does f*** all except wound a rabbit at 50 paces.

A 30-30 would be interesting to test, but I suggest a 300 Winchester Super Magnum.

When you say "bullet", you speak in very general terms. The outcome would also depend on:
1. The calibre of your weapon of choice
2. What sort of projectile you are using
3. What size of projectile
4. The primers
5. The type of gunpowder used
6. And the amount of gunpowder used

I'm not sure if it would or not, results will be interesting.
A buck that it will stop your bullet, whatever that may be (nah, I'll keep my dollar, thanks)...

Answer 5

I think the bullet would still make it through.