Compressive response of Kevlar-epoxy composites: experimental verification

The initial misalignment of Kevlar fibres in Kevlar-epoxy composites is quantitatively investigated. This misalignment has been found to be one of the most important factors for determining the compressive response of these composites. A theoretical model, which considers initial fibre misalignment and assumes that the compressive response of Kevlar-epoxy composites is dominated by kink band failure, is in good agreement with experimental results. In addition, photomicrographs of the failure surfaces suggest that kink band formation is the predominant failure mode in this composite system.