S-GLASS KEVLAR-149 HYBRID MICROCOMPOSITES IN STRESS-RUPTURE - A MONTE-CARLO SIMULATION/

The stress-rupture failure of S-glass/Kevlar-149 seven-fiber microcomp osites was modeled by employing a Monte Carlo method, taking into acco unt matrix creep effects and fiber lifetime. While being obtained at l ow computational cost, the simulated data compared favourably with exp erimental results. The critical cluster sizes for the respective speci mens were obtained directly from the simulation. Their frequency distr ibution was the subject of special attention. Parametric studies were carried out to examine the influence of matrix creep and the lifetime and stiffness of the single fiber on the failure process. It was found that failure of the hybrid microcomposites under consideration is dri ven by single-fiber failure rather than by matrix creep effects. Howev er, it appears that the lifetime of a Kevlar-149 fiber is increased si gnificantly when it is embedded in an epoxy matrix.