Finite element analyses on longitudinal compressive behaviors of 3D braided carbon /epoxy composite with different braided angles at low temperatures

This paper presents a numerical study on the effect of temperature and braided angle on quasi-static longitudinal compression of 3D braided carbon fiber/epoxy composites. The 3D braided composites with different braided angles, i.e. 26°, 35° and 48° were analyzed to examine the temperature-dependent longitudinal compressive behaviors with finite element method (FEM) based on the full-scale meso-structure model. Three temperatures (20, ?50 and ?100 °C) were used to investigate the influence of temperature on the longitudinal compression behaviors. In addition, the imperfect interface and the fiber waviness were combined into the FEM model. Both interfacial properties and fiber waviness were closely associated with compression modulus of 3D braided composites. The FEM results revealed thermal stress distribution and its influence on stress evolution in braided composites with different braided angles. The influence of temperature on stress distribution manifested the temperature-dependent damage of 3D braided composite.