KINK BAND FORMATION AND BAND BROADENING IN FIBER COMPOSITES UNDER COMPRESSIVE LOADING

Various stages of kink band formation, propagation and band width broa dening were recorded by a high resolution video camera. Based on these observations, the easiest modes of deformation have been identified a nd these form the basis of a new kinematic model for kinking. Theoreti cal predictions for kink band orientation and compression strength und er steady-state band broadening are made. The conditions at incipient kinking and the incipient kinking stress are investigated. The relevan ce of the incipient kinking stress and the band broadening stress are discussed.