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Thermo-mechanical Creep Performance of Kevlar and Woven Glass Fiber-based Composites Through Experimental Techniques and Viscoelastic Modelling

T. P. Sathishkumar, L. Rajeshkumar, S. Sivalingam, R. Gopinath, M. Sathishkumar

Abstract


Fiber-reinforced composites play a significant role in various temperature-dependent engineering applications. Hybrid composites, incorporating reinforcements such as glass, carbon, and Kevlar fibers, significantly improve the mechanical properties of polymer composites. The present work aims to study the thermo-mechanical creep behaviour of Kevlar- and woven glass-fiber-reinforced epoxy hybrid (KGFRH) composites through experimental testing and viscoelastic modelling. The composites were fabricated using a compression moulding process. The tensile creep behaviour of the hybrid composites was investigated by varying the applied loads to 50, 75, and 100 kg and the temperatures to 100, 120, and 140°C. The creep strain versus time data were recorded for all samples. The creep strain gradually increased with increasing load and temperature. At lower load and temperature conditions, the creep curve showed better performance because all three stages of creep failure were observed, whereas at higher load and temperature conditions, only the primary and secondary stages were noted. The combination of a 50 kg load and 100°C temperature showed the best results. Viscoelastic numerical models, including Burger’s model and the Norton model, were used to predict the elastic modulus, coefficients, and curve-fitting values. Kevlar/glass–epoxy composites with improved thermo-mechanical behaviour can be utilized in lightweight and protective applications.

Keywords



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DOI: 10.14416/j.asep.2026.08.003

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