Compressive testing of thermoset composites reinforced with high-performance polymer fibres

High-performance polymer fibres offer promising tensile and physical properties but are rarely used in structural composite applications due to their poor compressive performance. To better understand performance inside a composite, unidirectional thermoset composites made with three types of were tested shear-loaded compression. The results confirmed the despite good fibre alignment, low porosity, decent interfacial adhesion. Showing that collapse rather than microbuckle proves intrinsic behaviour compression is key culprit. developed finite element model predicted short gauge lengths required avoid buckling lead significant strain concentrations grips. This causes test underestimate modulus potentially rest stress stress–strain diagram.