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.     

Characterising the loading direction sensitivity of 3D woven composites: Effect of z-binder architecture

Three different architectures of 3D carbon fibre woven composites (orthogonal, ORT; layer-to-layer, LTL; angle interlock, AI) were tested in quasi-static uniaxial tension. Mechanical tests (tensile in on-axis of warp and weft directions as well as 45° off-axis) were carried out with the aim to study the loading direction sensitivity of these 3D woven composites. The z-binder architecture (the through-thickness reinforcement) has an effect on void content, directional fibre volume fraction, mechanical properties (on-axis and off-axis), failure mechanisms, energy absorption and fibre rotation angle in off-axis tested specimens. Out of all the examined architectures, 3D orthogonal woven composites (ORT) demonstrated a superior behaviour, especially when they were tested in 45° off-axis direction, indicated by high strain to failure (∼23%) and high translaminar energy absorption (∼40 MJ/m³). The z-binder yarns in ORT architecture suppress the localised damage and allow larger fibre rotation during the fibre “scissoring motion” that enables further strain to be sustained by the in-plane fabric layers during off-axis loading.     

Damage detection of glass fiber reinforced composites using embedded PVA–carbon nanotube (CNT) fibers

Polyvinyl alcohol–carbon nanotube (PVA–CNT) fibers were embedded in glass fiber reinforced plastic composites and used as strain sensors for damage monitoring of the composite. Sensing of the structural integrity of the composite was made by the in situ measurement of the electrical resistance of the embedded PVA–CNT fiber during the mechanical tests. The multi-functional materials were tested in tensile progressive damage accumulation (PDA) tests. These tests aimed to seek the electrical response of untreated and pre-stretched PVA–CNT fibers with known level of progressively induced damage to the composite. The advantages and disadvantages of each PVA–CNT fiber used as a sensor are analyzed; the electrical resistance readings of the PVA–CNT fibers were correlated with known parameters that express the induced damage of the composite.     

Cryogenic through-thickness tensile characterization of plain woven glass/epoxy composite laminates using cross specimens: Experimental test and finite element analysis

This paper investigates the through-thickness tensile behavior of woven glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) composite laminates at cryogenic temperatures. Tensile tests were carried out with cross specimens at room temperature and liquid nitrogen temperature (77 K), and the through-thickness elastic and strength properties of the woven GFRP laminates were evaluated. The failure characteristics of the woven GFRP laminates were also studied by optical and laser scanning microscopy observations. A three-dimensional finite element analysis was performed to calculate the stress distributions in the cross specimens, and the failure conditions of the specimens were examined. It is found that the cross specimen is suitable for the cryogenic through-thickness tensile characterization of laminated composite materials. In addition, the through-thickness Young's modulus of the woven GFRP composite laminates is dominated by the properties of the matrix polymer in the given temperature, while the tensile strength is characterized by both, the fiber to matrix interface energy and the cohesion energy of the matrix polymer.     

Fatigue of a 3D Orthogonal Non-crimp Woven Polymer Matrix Composite at Elevated Temperature

Tension-tension fatigue behavior of two polymer matrix composites (PMCs) was studied at elevated temperature. The two PMCs consist of the NRPE polyimide matrix reinforced with carbon fibers, but have different fiber architectures: the 3D PMC is a singly-ply non-crimp 3D orthogonal weave composite and the 2D PMC, a laminated composite reinforced with 15 plies of an eight harness satin weave (8HSW) fabric. In order to assess the performance and suitability of the two composites for use in aerospace components designed to contain high-temperature environments, mechanical tests were performed under temperature conditions simulating the actual operating conditions. In all elevated temperature tests performed in this work, one side of the test specimen was at 329 °C while the other side was open to ambient laboratory air. The tensile stress-strain behavior of the two composites was investigated and the tensile properties measured for both on-axis (0/90) and off-axis (±45) fiber orientations. Elevated temperature had little effect on the on-axis tensile properties of the two composites. The off-axis tensile strength of both PMCs decreased slightly at elevated temperature. Tension-tension fatigue tests were conducted at elevated temperature at a frequency of 1.0 Hz with a ratio of minimum stress to maximum stress of R = 0.05. Fatigue run-out was defined as 2 × 10⁵ cycles. Both strain accumulation and modulus evolution during cycling were analyzed for each fatigue test. The laminated 2D PMC exhibited better fatigue resistance than the 3D composite. Specimens that achieved fatigue run-out were subjected to tensile tests to failure to characterize the retained tensile properties. Post-test examination under optical microscope revealed severe delamination in the laminated 2D PMC. The non-crimp 3D orthogonal weave composite offered improved delamination resistance.     

Effect of on-axis tensile loading on shear properties of an orthogonal 3D woven SiC/SiC composite

The present study examines in-plane and out-of-plane shear properties of an orthogonal 3D woven SiC fiber/SiC matrix composite. A composite beam with rectangular cross-section was subjected to a small torsional moment, and the torsional rigidities were measured using an optical lever. Based on the Lekhnitskii’s equation (Saint–Venant torsion theory) for a orthotropic material, the in-plane and out-of-plane shear moduli were simultaneously calculated. The estimated in-plane shear modulus agreed with the modulus measured from ±45° off-axis tensile testing. The effect of on-axis (0°/90°) tensile stress on the shear stiffness properties was also investigated by the repeated torsional tests after step-wise tensile loading. Both in-plane and out-of-plane shear moduli decreased by about 50% with increasing the on-axis tensile stress, and it is mainly due to the transverse crack propagation in 90° fiber bundles and matrix cracking in 0° fiber bundles. It was demonstrated that the torsional test is an effective method to estimate out-of-plane shear modulus of ceramic matrix composites, because a thick specimen is not required.     

Modeling and experimental verification of dielectric constants for three-dimensional woven composites

In order to determine the dielectric constants of 3D orthogonal woven single fiber type (SFT) and hybrid composites from their component dielectric properties, a theoretical model is proposed based on the rule of binary mixtures. The model shows that with the same fiber volume fraction, a component with a larger cross-sectional area perpendicular to the electric field has a greater contribution to the composite dielectric constant. For experimental verification, SFT basalt/epoxy and aramid (Kevlar 129)/epoxy as well as interply and intraply basalt/aramid/epoxy 3D orthogonal woven hybrid composites were fabricated and their dielectric properties were measured using the waveguide method at a frequency range of 8–12 GHz. At 10 GHz, the experimental results agreed well with the calculated results from the model for the SFT composites, while a positive hybrid effect on the dielectric constant was observed for the two hybrid composites.     

三维正交机织复合材料的动态压缩性能

本文作者利用分离式Hopkinson压杆装置对玻璃纤维三维正交机织复合材料进行了高应变率下面外、面内方向的压缩试验,并在万能试验机下进行了相应的准静态压缩。获得3 个高应变率及准静态下的应力-应变曲线,观察了试样的破坏形貌。结果表明：玻纤三维正交机织复合材料是应变率敏感材料,最大应力、压缩模量随着应变率的增大而增大。三维正交结构使复合材料体现出各向异性：面外的最大应力、失效应变比面内大;面内的压缩模量大于面外,且压缩模量对于应变率的变化比面外方向敏感;经纬向相比,纬向的最大应力大于经向。     

Internal strain measurement and cure monitoring of 3D angle interlock woven carbon fibre composites

This study presents a methodology to accurately embed EFPI (Extrinsic Fabry Perot Interferometer) fibre optic sensors within the resin channels of 3D woven composite for the purpose of monitoring strain during tensile tests on a 3D woven composite. Using the same sensors the cure induced strain measurement was developed into a valid in situ cure monitoring technique for an epoxy matrix composite through correlation with rheological based cure strain data. Specific strain events were attributed to the gelation and vitrification phases of the epoxy cure cycle.     

Quasi-static tensile behavior and damage of carbon/epoxy composite reinforced with 3D non-crimp orthogonal woven fabric

This paper presents a comprehensive experimental study and detailed mechanistic interpretations of the tensile behavior of one representative 3D non-crimp orthogonal woven (3DNCOW) carbon/epoxy composite. The composite is tested under uniaxial in-plane tensile loading in the warp, fill and ±45° bias directions. An “S-shape” nonlinearity observed in the stress–strain curves is explained by the concurrent contributions of inherent carbon fiber stiffening (“non-Hookean behavior”), fiber straightening, and gradual damage accumulation. Several approaches to the determination of a single-value Young’s modulus from a significantly nonlinear stress–strain curve are discussed and the best approach recommended. Also, issues related to the experimental determination of effective Poisson’s ratios for this class of composites are discussed, and their possible resolution suggested. The observed experimental values of the warp- and fill-directional tensile strengths are much higher than those typically obtained for 3D interlock weave carbon/epoxy composites while the nonlinear material behavior observed for the ±45°-directional tensile loading is in a qualitative agreement with the earlier results for other textile composites. Results of the damage initiation and progression, monitoried by means of acoustic emission, full-field strain optical measurements, X-rays and optical microscopy, are illustrated and discussed in detail. The damage modes at different stages of the increasing tensile loading are analyzed, and the principal progressive damage mechanisms identified, including the characteristic crack patterns developed at each damage stage. It is concluded that significant damage initiation of the present material occurs in the same strain range as in traditional cross-ply laminates, while respective strain range for other previously studied carbon/epoxy textile composites is significantly lower. Overall the revealed advantages in stiffness, strength and progressive damage behavior of the studied composite are mainly attributed to the absence of crimp and only minimal fiber waviness in the reinforcing 3DNCOW preform.     

3D纤维增强复合材料的结构对力学性能的影响

研究了树脂基镀镍碳纤维3D复合材料的不同结构,包括三维五向、正交三向结构对3D复合材料拉伸性能和冲击性能的影响。进行了两种试件力学性能的测定,结果表明,三维五向3D复合材料和正交三向3D复合材料都能达到高的力学性能,在纤维体积含量相近的情况下,三维五向3D复合材料的拉伸强度和冲击强度较正交三向3D复合材料高,拉伸强度可达920 MPa、冲击强度达150 KJ/m2。通过对编织结构的设计,可以设计3D复合材料的性能。     

Fabrication and characterization of three dimensional woven carbon fiber/silica ceramic matrix composites

Carbon fiber reinforced fused silica composites exhibit the advantages of excellent mechanical properties, high heat resistance, low thermal expansion and low density, but low impact resistance or toughness. A novel modified slurry impregnation and hot pressing (SIHP) method was adopted to fabricate a new type of three dimensional orthogonal woven structure carbon fiber reinforced silica ceramic matrix composites (3D Cf/SiO₂ CMCs) with higher density and lower porosity. Physical characterization, flexural behavior, impact performance and toughening mechanism of the composites were investigated by three-point bending tests, impact tests, and scanning electron microscopy analysis. The 3D Cf/SiO₂ CMC showed a higher flexural strength in both warp (201.6%) and weft (263.6%) directions than those of pure SiO₂ and failed at a non-brittle mode due to the fiber debonding and pullout, and a delaminated failure of the 3D preform. The maximum impact energy absorption of the 3D Cf/SiO₂ CMC was 96.9 kJ/m², almost 4 times as much as those for typical other carbon fiber reinforced CMCs.     

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。      

三维正交机织复合材料的拉伸力学性能及介电性能研究

三维纺织复合材料的发展越来越广泛,其轻质,抗分层等优点是层合板式复合材料无法比拟的.本工作对自行设计并制作的五种玻璃纤维芳纶纤维混合增强的环氧树脂复合材料的拉伸力学性能和介电性能进行了研究.结果表明纯芳纶结构的三维复合材料有着最高的比强度和比模量;而在玻璃纤维含量较多的结构材料里介电性能呈现集中且稳定的趋势.在不同的应用中,可以将不同纤维混合作为增强体以发挥各种纤维的优势和特点,满足不同的设计和实际需要.     

三维机织碳纤维/环氧树脂复合材料在两种测量方法下的热响应机制对比

采用瞬态热线法和闪光法分别测量了多种结构参数的三维机织碳纤维/环氧树脂复合材料的导热系数。通过对3D正交机织碳纤维/环氧树脂复合材料的有限元模拟可以看出,3D正交机织碳纤维/环氧树脂复合材料内经纱、纬纱和Z向纱的导热作用在不同的受热形式下会发生变化。采用瞬态热线法测量时,2.5D机织碳纤维/环氧树脂复合材料的导热系数低于2.5D经向增强结构,同时高于3D正交结构,而采用闪光法测量时,2.5D经向增强和3D正交碳纤维/环氧树脂复合材料的导热系数均小于2.5D机织结构。这是由于在使用不同的测量方法时,三维机织碳纤维/环氧树脂复合材料内部相同的纱线系统在导热过程中所起的作用并不相同。随着纤维体积含量的提高,瞬态热线法和闪光法测得的2.5D机织碳纤维/环氧树脂复合材料的导热系数都在不断提高。由于经纱的屈曲,采用闪光法测量时,导热性能提升更加明显。研究结果表明,三维机织碳纤维/环氧树脂复合材料在不同受热形式下具有不同的热响应机制。     

A comparative study of tensile properties of non-crimp 3D orthogonal weave and multi-layer plain weave E-glass composites. Part 2: Comprehensive experimental results

This Part 2 paper presents results of comparative experimental study of progressive damage in 2D and 3D woven glass/epoxy composites under in-plane tensile loading. As Part 1, this Part 2 work is focused on the comparison of in-plane tensile properties of two non-crimp single-ply 3D orthogonal weave E-glass fibre composites on one side and a laminate reinforced with four plies of E-glass plain weave on the other. The damage investigation methodology combines mechanical testing with acoustic emission registration (that provides damage initiation thresholds), progressive cracks observation on transparent samples, full-field surface strain mapping and cracks observation on micrographs, altogether enabling for a thorough characterisation of the local micro- and meso-damage modes of the studied composites. The obtained results demonstrate that the non-crimp 3D orthogonal woven composites have significantly higher in-plane strengths, failure strains and damage initiation thresholds than their 2D woven laminated counterpart. The growth of transverse cracks in the yarns of 3D composites is delayed, and they are less prone to a yarn–matrix interfacial crack formation and propagation. Delaminations developing between the plies of plain weave fabric in the laminate at certain load level never appear in the 3D woven single-ply composites.     

一种碳纤维织物增强复合材料的层间冲击拉伸力学性能实验研究

为获得一种碳纤维二维正交平纹机织布增强树脂基复合材料准静态和动态下的层间拉伸力学性能,对垂直于碳布平面方向 ( 横向),分别利用Instron试验机和SHTB实验技术,进行了准静态拉伸和动态拉伸实验。得到了从低应变率 (10-3/s) 到较高应变率 (约3×102/s) 下的拉伸应力-应变曲线和拉伸强度。通过分析发现,拉伸破坏总是发生在相邻铺层的层间界面处,层间拉伸模量和拉伸强度都具有一定的应变率强化效应,但是层间拉伸破坏应变几乎不存在应变率效应。      

三维编织碳/环氧复合材料力学性能测试及破坏机制

通过宏观拉压试验, 研究了三维正交编织碳/环氧复合材料的拉伸和压缩力学性能。对试验过程进行了声发射分析, 对断口进行了扫描电镜观察分析, 给出了该类材料的拉伸和压缩破坏机制。结果表明: 三维正交编织碳/环氧复合材料有良好的拉伸和压缩力学性能; 三维正交编织复合材料在拉伸和压缩载荷作用下的断裂均为脆性断裂, 拉伸试验的主要破坏现象是纤维断裂拔出, 而压缩试验则是纤维剪切破坏; 通过声发射参数分析可以基本判定该类材料损伤过程中的损伤类型。