Kevlar Hybrid CF/AF
Reinforced grade
also AFRP
Carbon supplies compressive strength and stiffness while aramid supplies damage tolerance — the usual fix for AFRP's weak compression.
Values for the Hybrid CF/AF condition
Other Kevlar grades and fills
Kevlar is listed in 7 conditions; see the grade overview at Kevlar.
Compare all 7 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
aramid/phenolic honeycomb & interior laminate | Aircraft interiors, ducting and Nomex-type honeycomb faces where FAR 25.853 fire/smoke/toxicity and V-0 rating dominate over strength. | — | 450 | 1.5 | 88 Shore D |
aramid/PA or PP organosheet | Stampable, weldable and re-formable aramid composite for high-rate parts and impact liners; lower stiffness and creep resistance than epoxy. | — | 450 | 2.5 | 78 Shore D |
Hybrid CF/AFThis page epoxy laminate | Carbon supplies compressive strength and stiffness while aramid supplies damage tolerance — the usual fix for AFRP's weak compression. | — | 800 | 1.3 | 88 Shore D |
Kevlar 29 reinforcement | Pick for armour, ballistic panels and ropes where energy absorption matters more than stiffness. | — | 1,150 | 3.4 | 85 Shore D |
aramid/VE laminate | Marine and corrosion service: cheaper wet-layup/infusion than epoxy, better hydrolysis resistance than polyester, slightly weaker bond to aramid. | — | 1,150 | 1.7 | 85 Shore D |
Kevlar 149 reinforcement | Use where maximum specific stiffness and lowest moisture pickup are required (antennas, precision structures); most expensive and least tough. | — | 1,250 | 1.3 | 88 Shore D |
Epoxy MatrixDefault Kevlar 49 / epoxy laminate (UD, Vf ≈ 60 %) | Default structural aramid composite: best stiffness/strength and adhesion, for aerospace panels, filament-wound vessels and marine hulls up to ~120 °C. | — | 1,350 | 1.8 | — |
What is Kevlar Hybrid CF/AF?
Kevlar Hybrid CF/AF is Kevlar in the Hybrid CF/AF grade — carbon supplies compressive strength and stiffness while aramid supplies damage tolerance — the usual fix for AFRP's weak compression. Kevlar Hybrid CF/AF has a tensile strength of 800 MPa (116 ksi), stronger than 72% of composite grades. Elongation at break is 1.3% and the elastic modulus is 55 GPa (7.98 Msi). Kevlar Hybrid CF/AF has a density of 1.45 g/cm³ (0.0524 lb/in³), lighter than 59% of composite grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 135°C (275 °F). Epoxy Matrix is the default condition FabDigit quotes; Hybrid CF/AF is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Tough — resists crack growth — 32 MPa·√m (29.1 ksi·√in), better than 88% of composite grades
Limitations
- Degrades in UV without stabilisers — 25/100, worse than 86% of composite grades
- Limited service temperature — 120°C (248 °F), worse than 78% of composite grades
Kevlar Hybrid CF/AF properties
Typical room-temperature values for Kevlar Hybrid CF/AF; 19 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are Kevlar reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among composite grades.
Physical4
Kevlar Hybrid CF/AF has a density of 1.45 g/cm³ (0.0524 lb/in³), lighter than 59% of composite grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 135°C (275 °F).
Mechanical12
Kevlar Hybrid CF/AF has a tensile strength of 800 MPa (116 ksi), stronger than 72% of composite grades. Elongation at break is 1.3% and the elastic modulus is 55 GPa (7.98 Msi).
Thermal9
Kevlar Hybrid CF/AF is rated for continuous service to 120°C (248 °F). It conducts heat at 2 W/m·K (1.16 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 58% of composite grades. Thermal expansion is 0.5 µm/m·K (0.278 µin/in·°F).
Electrical5
Kevlar Hybrid CF/AF is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 18 kV/mm (457.2 V/mil) and a resistivity of 0.05 Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (75/100), worse than 55% of composite grades. UV resistance is poor.
Sustainability3
Producing a kilogram of Kevlar Hybrid CF/AF takes about 250 MJ of energy and emits 14 kg of CO₂ — more than 54% of composite grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability2
Kevlar Hybrid CF/AF's machinability is poor (22/100, worse than 73% of composite grades).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with Kevlar Hybrid CF/AF
Is Kevlar easy to machine?
Fibers do not cut cleanly — use sharp carbide/PCD shear-angle or serrated 'Kevlar' router bits, back-up plates, or waterjet/laser trimming to avoid fuzzing and delamination.
Can Kevlar be welded?
Thermoset epoxy laminates cannot be welded; join by secondary bonding with film/paste adhesive or bolted joints with bushed holes (thermoplastic-matrix variants can be resistance or ultrasonic welded).
Can Kevlar be formed, bent or molded?
Processed as prepreg autoclave/oven cure (120–180 °C), resin infusion/RTM, wet layup or filament winding; aramid fabric drapes well but must be dried before cure to avoid moisture-induced porosity.
What surface finishes work on Kevlar?
Cut edges must be sealed with resin or edge tape; paint or gel-coat with UV-blocking pigment is essentially mandatory for outdoor service, and surfacing film gives a smooth paintable skin.
Kevlar chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| para-aramid fiber (PPTA, poly-p-phenylenfiber volume fraction ≈ 55–62 % for prepreg laminates | 50 – 65 | 60 |
| sizing / finishfiber surface treatment for adhesion | 0.1 – 1 | 0.5 |
| epoxy resin (DGEBA / amine or dicyandiammatrix; substituted by vinyl ester, phenolic or thermoplastic in other variants | ≥ 35 (balance) | — |
Kevlar Hybrid CF/AF — frequently asked
What is Kevlar Hybrid CF/AF used for?
Kevlar Hybrid CF/AF is typically used for body armor, ballistic panels, aerospace interior and secondary structure panels, filament-wound pressure vessel overwraps, boat hulls and impact skins and sports equipment shells. In short: aramid impact laminate.
What is the tensile strength of Kevlar Hybrid CF/AF?
Kevlar Hybrid CF/AF has a typical tensile strength of 800 MPa (116 ksi) — stronger than 72% of composite grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is Kevlar Hybrid CF/AF easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (22/100, worse than 73% of composite grades). Fibers do not cut cleanly — use sharp carbide/PCD shear-angle or serrated 'Kevlar' router bits, back-up plates, or waterjet/laser trimming to avoid fuzzing and delamination.
Can Kevlar Hybrid CF/AF be welded?
Thermoset epoxy laminates cannot be welded; join by secondary bonding with film/paste adhesive or bolted joints with bushed holes (thermoplastic-matrix variants can be resistance or ultrasonic welded).
What surface finishes work on Kevlar Hybrid CF/AF?
Cut edges must be sealed with resin or edge tape; paint or gel-coat with UV-blocking pigment is essentially mandatory for outdoor service, and surfacing film gives a smooth paintable skin.
Can Kevlar Hybrid CF/AF be formed, bent or molded?
Processed as prepreg autoclave/oven cure (120–180 °C), resin infusion/RTM, wet layup or filament winding; aramid fabric drapes well but must be dried before cure to avoid moisture-induced porosity.
What is the maximum service temperature of Kevlar Hybrid CF/AF?
Kevlar Hybrid CF/AF is rated for continuous use to about 120°C (248 °F), and briefly to 200°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Can FabDigit make parts in Kevlar Hybrid CF/AF?
Yes — Kevlar Hybrid CF/AF is available for CNC machining and sheet metal with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- Kevlar Aramid Fiber Technical Guide — DuPont (2017)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 21 — Composites — ASM International (2001)
- CMH-17 (MIL-HDBK-17) Composite Materials Handbook, Vol. 3 Polymer Matrix Composites — SAE International / CMH-17 (2012)
- Aramid fabric prepreg datasheets — Hexcel / Toray Advanced Composites (2022)
- CES EduPack material data — aramid fiber reinforced epoxy — Granta/Ansys (2021)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.