Axial compressive deformation and damage of four-step 3-D circular braided composite tubes under various strain rates

This paper reports the axial compressive deformation and damage of three-dimensional (3-D) braided carbon/epoxy composite circular tubes under quasi-static and high strain rate loadings. Three kinds of 3-D circular braided composite tubes with different braiding angles of 25°, 35°, and 45° were tested under strain rates of 0.001/s, 330/s, 500/s, and 650/s. The stress–strain curves, deformation and damage of the braided tubes under axial compressions were obtained to analyze the compressive failure mechanisms and the influences of the braiding angles on the compressive behaviors. A finite element model based on the meso-structure of the braided preform and the braided composite was established to reveal the axial compressive deformation and damage mechanisms. The axial compressive behaviors were compared both in the finite element analyses (FEA) results and the tested data, and good agreements were found. From the FEA and experimental results, it was concluded that the compressions deformation, damage, and stress–strain curves are sensitive to the strain rate and the braided angles. The strain rate and braided angle are the key parameters for the design of the braided composite tubes with high compression strength.