Kink band formation in unidirectional composites under compression

The kink band formation in unidirectional composites under compression was studied with the help of optical and scanning electron microscopy. Materials studied included graphite/epoxy, S-2 glass/epoxy, and Kevlar 49/epoxy composites. The kink bands in the graphite/epoxy and glass/epoxy composites were initiated by fiber microbuckling while those in the Kevlar/epoxy composite were triggered by microkinking in the fibers themselves. Fracture surfaces of the graphite/epoxy composites showed fibers broken in bending and fiber segments tilted in the direction of slip. The kink band formation depended not only on the constituent material properties but also on the kinematic constraints imposed. Both primary and secondary kink bands were observed in the graphite/epoxy specimens, but only primary kink bands were present in the other two composites because of higher lateral flexibility of the specimen during testing.