Progressive damage in terms of resonant frequency in aramid samples to UV light exposure

A recently conceived experimental testing device, based on an optical measurement system and electro-magnetic driving force was used to characterize damping and the non-linear material response, and to carry out an experimental campaign on several Kevlar® fibre samples. The samples were exposed to UV light for different lengths of time. The results show that it is possible to observe an increase in the non-linear response of the material even at low vibratory amplitudes and that the quality factor tends to decrease when the material is damaged.