Intra/inter-ply shear behaviors of continuous fiber reinforced thermoplastic composites in thermoforming processes

The thermoforming of continuous fiber reinforced thermoplastic (CFRTP) composite panels generally involves significant in-plane shear deformation. In the present work, the in-plane shear behavior of woven thermoplastic composites (Carbon/Polyphenylene Sulfide) over a range of processing temperatures is studied by bias-test experiments at different velocities. The experimental data of force versus displacement and force versus shear strain are presented for different extension velocities and temperatures. A thermo-visco-elastic model for numerical simulations of woven thermoplastic composite forming is proposed considering the influences of temperature and of strain rate. We applied a large displacement three-dimensional cohesive element with eight nodes which has been used for crack analysis in fracture mechanics by other authors, to investigate the inter-ply shear mechanism of woven thermoplastic composites. Applying three-dimensional cohesive elements, multi-plies forming simulations are performed to show inter-ply slip behaviors at different temperatures. The proposed models can be useful to predict from the properties of reinforcement and resin the intra/inter-ply shear behaviors of woven thermoplastic composites at high temperatures if experimental characterization of composite laminate behaviors is difficult to conduct.     

考虑双拉耦合的复合材料编织物各向异性超弹性本构模型

为了准确描述复合材料编织物的各向异性力学特性,首先,基于纤维增强复合材料连续介质力学理论提出了一种考虑纤维双拉耦合的复合材料编织物各向异性超弹性本构模型,该模型中单位体积的应变能被解耦为便于参数识别的纤维拉伸变形能、双拉耦合引起的挤压变形能和纤维间角度变化产生的剪切变形能;然后,给出了模型参数的确定方法,并通过拟合单轴拉伸、双轴拉伸和镜框剪切实验数据得到了本构模型参数;最后,利用该模型对双轴拉伸和镜框剪切实验进行了数值仿真,并将模拟结果与实验结果对比分析。结果表明:提出的本构模型适用于表征复合材料编织物在成型过程中由于大变形引起的非线性各向异性力学行为。所得结论表明提出的本构模型具有简单、实用的优点,且材料参数容易确定,可为复合材料编织物成型的数值模拟和工艺优化奠定理论基础。      

Fractographical analysis on the mode II delamination in woven carbon fiber reinforced epoxy composites

Mode II delamination phenomena of woven fabric carbon/epoxy composites were investigated by scanning electron microscopy. End notch flexural (ENF) test was used to examine the mode II delamination. Woven fabric composites showed two peculiar crack propagation patterns due to the complexity of woven geometry. In warp yarn region, crack propagated with forming a shear band and breaking the fiber/matrix interface. In fill yarn region, however, no shear band was observed. Considering these crack patterns, matrix shear property and fiber/matrix interfacial strength played an important role in enhancing the delamination properties of woven fabric carbon/epoxy composites. Due to the woven geometry, matrix rich positions, which are interstitial and undulated region, were formed in woven carbon/epoxy composite. In these regions, matrix fracture and complex crack path were mainly observed.     

3D digital image correlation measurements during shaping of a non-crimp 3D orthogonal woven E-glass reinforcement

This paper illustrates a methodology for the characterization of textile composite reinforcements during experimental simulation of forming processes. In particular, being the shear deformation considered as the primary deformation mechanism during shaping, the evolution of shear angle distribution on the reinforcement surface is measured by means of 3D digital image correlation analyses. Two different image correlation software programs, i.e. VIC-3D and MatchID3D, are used to study the forming process of a single layer E-glass non-crimp 3D orthogonal woven reinforcement (commercialized under trademark 3WEAVE® by 3Tex Inc.). The comparison of the displacement and shear angle distributions of the reinforcement, shaped on tetrahedral and double-dome moulds, pointed out a good agreement between the results obtained with both software packages.     

碳纤维织物力学性能和冲压成形实验研究

在实际成形过程中,碳纤维复合材料往往处于复杂的应力状态,开展近于真实载荷环境下的力学试验分析,能够更准确地认识实际应用中材料的成形性能和变形机理.为获得碳纤维织物的基本力学特性,设计了平纹碳纤维织物拉伸试样及成形试样,进行了单轴拉伸、双轴拉伸、镜框剪切试验和方盒冲压成形实验研究,对比了不同双拉比及纱线取向对力学性能及成形性能的影响.研究结果表明:碳纤维织物具有高度的非线性、各向异性和双拉耦合特性,即经纬向纤维的力学性能会相互影响;剪切变形是成形过程中的主要变形模式,当剪切角达到临界锁死角时,织物发生起皱现象;同种织物不同纱线取向试样表现出不同的成形性能,因此可以根据零件几何形状选择合适纤维取向的织物,从而减少缺陷,优化成形零件的力学性能.研究结果为后续建立碳纤维织物本构模型和成形仿真奠定了基础.     

An experiment study on the failure mechanisms of woven textile sandwich panels under quasi-static loading

Quasi-static compression and three-point-bending tests were conducted to reveal the failure mechanisms and the energy absorption capacity of the woven textile sandwich material. The compression induces shear deformation due to the tilting of fiber piles within the core. The ductile load–displacement curves are featured by a long deformation plateau by plastic rotations of core piles. Densifications become apparent in the later stage of compression. In three-point-bending, skin crippling and shear failure dominate the load capacity of the thicker panels, while skin fracture dominates the thinner ones. After the initial failure, the progression of plastic hinges renders the panels residual load capacity in a long deflection plateau. The tests suggest that woven textile sandwich material is ideal to serve as an energy absorbing core.     

Experimental determination of the mode I delamination fracture and fatigue properties of thin 3D woven composites

The mode I delamination fracture toughness and fatigue strength of thin-section three-dimensional (3D) woven composite materials is experimentally determined. The non-crimp 3D orthogonally woven carbon–epoxy composites were thin (2 mm) and consequently their through-thickness z-binder yarns were inclined at a very steep angle (about 70°) from the orthogonal direction. The steep z-binder angle has a marked effect on the delamination toughening and fatigue strengthening mechanisms. Experimental testing revealed that the fracture toughness and fatigue resistance increased progressively with the volume content of z-binders. However, the steep angle caused the z-binder yarns bridging the delamination crack to deform and fail in shear and through-thickness tension, rather than in-plane tension which usually occurs in thick 3D woven composites. Mode I pull-off tests on a single woven z-binder yarn embedded within the composite revealed that the crack bridging traction load, strain energy absorption and failure mechanism were strongly affected by the steep angle.     

A non-orthogonal constitutive model for characterizing woven composites

Thermoforming of woven fabric reinforced composites usually results in significant in-plane shear deformation in materials, and induces additional anisotropy into the composite. In this paper, a new constitutive model for characterizing the non-orthogonal material behavior under large deformation is proposed. On the basis of stress and strain analysis in the orthogonal and non-orthogonal coordinates and the rigid body rotation matrices, the relationship between the stresses and strains in the global coordinates is obtained. The equivalent material properties are then determined by fitting the numerical load vs. displacement curves to experimental results under biaxial tension and pure shear conditions. This model can be used to efficiently predict material responses under various loading paths for woven composites with different weave architectures. The geometrical non-linearity and the material non-linearity, as well as the complex redistribution and reorientation of the warp and weft yarns during deformation are taken into account. To demonstrate the performance of this model, numerical simulations using a commercial finite element package (ABAQUS/Standard) incorporated with our material model are conducted for various loading cases. Numerical results are in excellent agreement with experimental data.     

三维正交机织玄武岩/环氧树脂复合材料高温老化后低速冲击性质

研究了三维正交机织玄武岩/环氧树脂复合材料在180℃高温环境下老化不同时间后的低速冲击力学性能,测试得到了不同老化时间的试样在低速冲击过程中的载荷-位移曲线。研究发现:随着老化时间增加,三维正交机织玄武岩/环氧树脂复合材料能承受的最大载荷下降,位移逐渐增加,载荷-位移曲线斜率逐渐下降;随着冲击能量增加,老化条件相同的三维正交机织玄武岩/环氧树脂复合材料试样最大承受载荷增大,位移和曲线斜率增加。对高温老化后三维正交机织玄武岩/环氧树脂复合材料试样进行SEM观察,发现纤维与树脂基体脱粘有裂纹产生,且裂纹数目和面积随着老化时间延长而增加。      

Numerical study on thermo-stamping of woven fabric composites based on double-dome stretch forming

Through the international corporative benchmark works, the material characterization of the woven fabric composites has been examined to better understand their mechanical properties and to provide the process design information for numerical analysis. As the second stage of the benchmark work, the double-dome geometry has been used to illustrate the effect of numerical schemes on the forming behaviors of the woven composites parts. To account for the change of fiber orientation under the large deformation, the non-orthogonal constitutive model was utilized and nonlinear friction behavior was incorporated in the simulation. The equivalent material properties based on the contact status were used for the thermo-stamping process. Furthermore, we incorporated a recently developed non-orthogonal model which captures the dependency of shear behavior of woven fabric composites on the tensions in yarns. Simulation results showed the effect of coupling on the predicted forming behavior for the double-dome parts. As numerical results, blank draw-in, punch force history and fiber orientation after forming have been compared based on various numerical models and methods.     

炭纤维增强明胶复合材料的性能研究

制备了不同形式炭纤维增强的明胶复合材料,对不同复合材料的力学性能进行了测量与分析,并对复合材料的拉伸断口进行了观察,研究表明,长炭纤维增强明胶（CL/Gel)复合材料具有最高的拉伸强度,剪切强度和模量,而炭纤维毡增强明胶（CF/Gel)复合材料因内部存在较多的孔隙使其力学性能最差,因此,炭纤维毡不能用于增强明胶材料,由于纺织炭纤维布增强明胶（Cw/Gel)复合材料的纤维维束内亦有孔隙,炭纤维布的增强效果不及长炭纤维。     

碳纤维/铜纤维混编酚醛树脂基摩擦材料的制备及其弯曲性能

以碳纤维和铜纤维为原料制备了三维四层深交联机织物,并将酚醛树脂和其他填料组成树脂体系,然后将二者进行复合成型,制成三维深交联摩擦材料。通过改变织物纬向的铜纤维含量及位置获得四种深交联机织摩擦材料,探究不同位置和含量的铜纤维对摩擦材料纬向弯曲性能的影响。结果表明:摩擦材料的弯曲性能随着铜纤维含量的增加而减小;当铜纤维处在摩擦材料预制体中间层时,会降低复合材料的弯曲性能。材料的破坏模式具体表现为树脂基体的碎裂,以及纤维的抽拔及断裂。     

碳纤维机织物增强热塑性树脂复合材料热冲压叠层模型

针对碳纤维增强热塑性树脂复合材料(CFRTP)在热冲压成型过程中涉及到大变形、各向异性和多场耦合的现象,为了表征CFRTP在成型中的力学特征,基于有限元方法与连续介质力学理论提出了一种热塑性树脂基体与碳纤维机织物的叠层模型。与单独采用碳纤维机织物超弹性本构模型预测CFRTP成型性能的方法相比,提出的叠层模型能够表征成型温度、压边力和纤维取向对CFRTP成型缺陷的影响,并能优化热冲压成型工艺参数。这一叠层模型具有简单实用和材料参数容易确定的优点,为碳纤维机织物增强热塑性树脂复合材料成型的数值模拟和成型工艺优化奠定了理论基础。     

单向碳纤维/环氧树脂预浸料叠层的面内变形行为

为了充分了解热隔膜成型过程中预浸料的变形行为，通过偏轴拉伸测试探索了热固性单向碳纤维/环氧树脂预浸料在高温条件下的面内变形机制。研究参数包括试验温度、拉伸速率、预热时间和铺层顺序等。利用数字图像相关技术，在测试过程中监测单向碳纤维/环氧树脂预浸料的变形和纤维的旋转情况。结果表明，提高试验温度或降低拉伸速率均有利于促进单向碳纤维/环氧树脂预浸料的变形。铺层顺序对单向碳纤维/环氧树脂预浸料铺层的变形行为有很大影响，[45/–45/90]_S铺层方式比 [45/90/–45]_S铺层方式更有利于纤维旋转，且[45/–45/90]_S铺层方式变形阻力更小。采用铰链连接网(Pin-joined net, PJN) 理论对单向碳纤维/环氧树脂预浸料铺层变形过程中纤维角度变化进行预测并与实验结果进行对比，结果表明，用PJN理论预测的纤维旋转角度值与测试值存在较大偏差，说明其并不适用于预测热固性单向碳纤维/环氧树脂预浸料变形过程中纤维角的变化。同时，80℃预加热可以提高单向碳纤维/环氧树脂预浸料的变形阻力。      

A rate-dependent non-orthogonal constitutive model for describing shear behaviour of woven reinforced thermoplastic composites

A rate dependent constitutive model for woven reinforced thermoplastic matrix composites at forming temperatures is proposed in this work. The model is formulated using a stress objective derivative based on the fibre rotation. Nonlinear shear behaviour is modelled as a polynomial function and the rate dependence is described using a Cowper–Symonds overstress law formulated in terms of shear angle rate. The model parameters are determined by means of bias extension tests. The applicability of the material model is validated through a forming experiment.     

Z-pin增强CMC层间Ⅰ+Ⅱ混合型断裂韧性

提出手工预缝纫方法将3K丝束的T300碳纤维引入预成型体,采用CVI工艺在预成型体和缝线处同时渗透SiC基体,制备了Z-pin增强平纹编织C/SiC陶瓷基复合材料。通过三点弯曲试验测定了Ⅰ+Ⅱ混合型应变能释放率,分析了材料的裂纹扩展行为和Z-pin增强机理。结果表明:随着裂纹扩展长度的增大,Ⅰ+Ⅱ型裂纹扩展阻力不断增大,相同裂纹扩展长度,增加Z-pin植入密度可以提高粘结强度,增大止裂作用。Z-pin增强平纹编织C/SiC陶瓷基复合材料裂纹扩展的耗能途径主要是层间界面剥离、Z-pin弹性剪切和拉伸变形。     

The effect of thermoplastic coating on the mechanical properties of woven fabric carbon/epoxy composites

The effect of a polyetherimide (PEI) coating on the mechanical properties of woven fabric carbon/epoxy composites was investigated by thermal mechanical analysis, fractographical analysis and mechanical properties measurements. PEI coating enhanced the mechanical properties of carbon/epoxy composites mainly through the improvement of matrix properties. This was because most of the PEI coated on the carbon fiber diffused into the bulk of epoxy matrix due to its good miscibility with epoxy resin. As for mechanical properties of woven fabric carbon/epoxy composites, the extent of improvement by PEI coating highly depended on the applied stress state. Among the mechanical properties, mode II delamination resistance of carbon/epoxy composites showed the highest increment because matrix shear property played an important role in delamination resistance of woven fabric carbon/epoxy composite. Because of the woven geometry of carbon fiber, the improvement in impact property of carbon/epoxy composite was trivial except the large amount of PEI coated case.     

Characterising the shear–tension coupling and wrinkling behaviour of woven engineering fabrics

Modelling the forming process for engineering fabrics and textile composites using a mechanical approach, such as the finite element method, requires characterisation of the material’s behaviour under large shear deformation. For woven engineering fabrics, a coupling between in-plane tension and both shear compliance and the onset of wrinkling is to be expected. This paper focuses on a novel testing technique, the biaxial bias extension test, as a means to investigate this shear–tension coupling and fabric wrinkling. Novel methods of determining the wrinkling behaviour are demonstrated. The main difficulty with the technique lies in extracting the material contribution to the recorded signal. To do this, an experimental method is proposed and demonstrated using a plain weave glass fabric. Biaxial bias extension test results are compared against picture frame and uniaxial bias extension results.     

Impact response of woven composites with small weaving angles

This paper presents experimental investigations on impact response of woven composites with various weaving angles between interlacing yarns. A method for preparing novel woven composites with small weaving angles is presented. The effects of the weaving angle on the impact characteristics such as peak force, contact duration, maximum deflection and absorbed energy are also examined. An energy profiling method seems to be useful for identifying the penetration and perforation thresholds of the woven composites. The damage process of individual woven composites can be reconstructed from comparing the corresponding load–deflection curves, energy profile and images of damaged specimens. The study concludes that the energy absorption capability and perforation threshold of woven composites can be significantly improved by using a small weaving angle between interlacing yarns. For example, the perforation threshold of [0/20]₄ woven composite, which has a weaving angle of 20° between interlacing yarns, is about 40% higher than that of [0/90]₄ woven composite, which has a weaving angle of 90° between interlacing yarns. The higher energy absorption capability of [0/20]₄ over [0/90]₄ is attributed to a lower stiffness caused by a more polarized fiber orientation and a smaller fiber crimp, resulting in a larger maximum deflection, a more extended damage zone and a larger amount of fiber pullout.     

Impact Damage of 3D Orthogonal Woven Composite Circular Plates

The damages of 3D orthogonal woven composite circular plate under quasi-static indentation and transverse impact were tested with Materials Test System (MTS) and modified split Hopkinson bar (SHPB) apparatus. The load vs. displacement curves during quasi-static penetration and impact were obtained to study the energy absorption of the composite plate. The fluctuation of the impact stress waves has been unveiled. Differences of the load-displacement curves between the quasi-static and impact loading are discussed. This work also aims at establishing a unit-cell model to analyze the damage of composites. A user material subroutine which named VUMAT for characterizing the constitutive relationship of the 3-D orthogonal woven composite and the damage evolution is incorporated with a finite element code ABAQUS/Explicit to simulate the impact damage process of the composite plates. From the comparison of the load-displacement curves and energy absorption curves of the composite plate between experimental and FEM simulation, it is shown that the unit-cell model of the 3D woven composite and the VUMAT combined with the ABAQUS/Explicit can calculate the impact responses of the circular plate precisely. Furthermore, the model can also be extended to simulate the impact behavior of the 3D woven composite structures.