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This paper explores the characterization of Kevlar composite materials using Raman spectroscopy. The goal of the research is to develop and understand the Raman spectrum of Kevlar materials to provide a foundation for the development of nondestructive evaluation (NDE) technologies based on the interaction of laser light with the polymer Kevlar. The paper discusses the fundamental aspects of experimental characterization of the spectrum of Kevlar, including the effects of incident wavelength, polarization and laser power. The effects of environmental exposure of Kevlar materials on certain characteristics of its Raman spectrum are explored, as well as the effects of applied stress. This data may provide a foundation for the development of NDE technologies intended to detect the in-situ deterioration of Kevlar materials used for engineering applications that can later be extended to other materials such as carbon fiber composites.

ABSTRACT. Acoustic emission (AE) data acquired during intermittent load hold tensile testing of epoxy impregnated Kevlar'^ 49 (K/Ep) composite strands were analyzed to monitor progressive damage during the approach to tensile failure. Insight into the progressive damage of K/Ep strands was gained by monitoring AE event rate and energy. Source location based on energy attenuation and arrival time data was used to discern between significant AE attributable to microstructural damage and spurious AE attributable to noise. One of the significant findings was the observation of increasing violation of the Kaiser effect (Felicity ratio < 1.0) with damage accumulation. The efficacy of three different intermittent load hold stress schedules that allowed the Felicity ratio to be determined analytically is discussed.

Articles you may be interested inInfluence of fiber orientation on the inherent acoustic nonlinearity in carbon fiber reinforced composites J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 137, 617 (2015); 10.1121/1.4906165Large and stable emission current from synthesized carbon nanotube/fiber network Acoustic emission characteristics on microscopic damage behavior of carbon fiber sheet reinforced concrete AIP Conf.ABSTRACT. Broad-band modal acoustic emission (AE) was used to characterize micromechanical damage progression in uniaxial IM7 and T1000 carbon fiber-epoxy (C/Ep) tows, and a helical and hoop-wrapped IM7 composite overwrapped pressure vessel (COPV). To expedite analysis, tows and the COPV were subjected to an intermittent load hold tensile stress profile. Damage progression in tow specimens was followed by analyzing the Fast Fourier Transforms (FFTs) associated with AE events. FFT analysis showed that damage was usually cooperative, consisting of several failure modes occurring at once, and was dominated by fiber breakage throughout the duration of the stress profile. Evidence was found for the existence of a universal damage parameter, referred to here as the critical Felicity ratio, or Felicity ratio at rupture (FR*), which had a value close to 0.96 for the tows and the COPV tested. The use of FR* to predict the burst pressure of the COPV is demonstrated.