Transverse compression of two high-performance ballistic fibers

The method for determining the transverse mechanical response of Kevlar® KM2 and Dyneema® SK76 fibers was improved upon from previous versions of single fiber compression tests. Two fibers were laid parallel and compressed between two tool steel platens. The new experimental setup ensures that the individual fibers are being compressed evenly along the length and that the platens are parallel during compression. Nominal stress–strain curves were obtained for quasi-static loading of both types of fibers. To evaluate the rate effects on the transverse behavior, high-rate transverse compression experiments were also performed using a miniature Kolsky bar loading on single-fiber specimens to obtain the corresponding stress–strain response of these high performance fibers at high rates of deformation.