Tensile and Failure Behavior of Kevlar Fiber Reinforced Epoxy Matrix Composite Exposed to Different Environmental Conditions

Synthetic fibers such as kevlar(aramid), glass, carbon etc. have been used for several years in many applications varying from aerospace components to civil infrastructures because of their added advantages such as light in weight, high specific stiffness, high specific strength, low density, good wear resistance. In this present work the effect of moisture on the mechanical properties like tensile strength and the failure behavior of kevlar fiber reinforced composite was investigated. Moisture was introduced into the specimen by immersion in three different type of solution such as marine water, 30% conc. H2SO4 and 30% conc. NaOH at different intervals of exposure. The composite was made by bi-directional kevlar 49 fiber and epoxy resin by hand-lay-up technique. The result showed that the absorbed moisture decreases the tensile strength and breaking strength of kevlar fiber composite sample treated with marine water followed by NaOH and H2SO4. (C) 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.