Thermomechanical durability of CVI-processed two-dimensionally woven and three-dimensionally braided SIC fibre-reinforced SiC composites

The thermomechanical durability of a two-dimensionally woven and a three-dimensionally braided SiC/SiC composite fabricated by chemical vapour infiltration technique were studied. The effects of thermal shock, thermal ageing, and thermal cycling at high temperatures on mechanical properties were determined. The thermal degradation mechanisms were also investigated. The results indicated that the fibre geometry, matrix porosity, interlaminar shear strength and testing conditions affect the thermomechanical durability of the SiC/SiC composites.     

Mechanical properties of three-dimensional braided composites

Recently developed digital element approach, which treats textile composite manufacturing process as a nonlinear solid mechanics problem, was successfully used to investigate the complicated microstructure of 3D braided rectangular preform. The yarns interaction and cross-sectional deformation, which were neglected in traditional topological model, could be analyzed exactly. Results showed that yarns inside 3D braided preform were curvy, which was opposite to the straight-yarns assumption of topological model and, yarns curvature inside the preform, which was very difficult to be explored before both experimentally and theoretically, was investigated numerically. After that, the mechanical properties of 3D rectangular braided composites, such as tensile stiffness, shear stiffness and Poisson ratio were calculated through the volume-average-compliance method. Comparison was conducted for those from the topological model and digital element approach, and topological model was found to underestimate greatly both the tensile stiffness and shear stiffness.     

二维二轴编织复合材料几何模型及弹性性能预测

提出了二维二轴1×1和2×2编织复合材料的几何模型,模型考虑了纤维束的相互挤压及横截面的变化。基于细观分析和体积平均法,建立了预测二维二轴编织复合材料弹性性能的理论分析方法。数值结果与试验结果吻合,表明该方法行之有效,且具有运算快、精度高、适合工程分析等优点。分析了编织角、纤维体积含量和纤维束横截面形状对材料弹性常数的影响。研究表明,编织角对弹性常数的影响具有互补性,材料弹性模量与纤维体积含量成正比,纤维束截面形状变化对材料弹性常数影响不大。     

三维编织复合材料热物理性能实验

针对不同编织工艺参数的三维四向编织复合材料,进行了热环境下的热物理性能实验研究,获得了热环境下三维四向编织复合材料的热物理性能变化规律及其分布特征,分析了环境温度和编织角对材料的热膨胀系数(CTE)、热传导系数(CTC)、比热(SH)以及热扩散率(TD)的影响,得到了一些重要结论。这些结果为三维编织复合材料的热物理性能数值分析以及进一步研究材料的热力耦合行为奠定了实验基础。     

三维四向编织复合材料的黏弹性能

基于均匀化理论建立了预测具有微观周期性结构复合材料黏弹性能的力学模型。利用此模型并结合有限元法分别研究了纤维束和三维编织复合材料的黏弹性能。通过对计算结果的分析, 给出了三维编织复合材料黏弹性能随工艺参数变化的规律。结果表明, 三维编织复合材料编织方向的黏弹性效应随编织角的增大而增强, 随纤维体积比的增大而减弱, 此规律与实验结论一致。     

三向编织玻璃/环氧复合材料刚度性能

通过实验研究了三向编织玻璃/环氧复合材料的刚度性能 , 并考虑编织角和试件宽度参数的影响 , 探讨了拉伸和压缩刚度性能的差异。实验结果表明 : 在同一纤维体积分数条件下 , 随着编织角的增大 , 试件的纵向弹性模量有所减小 , 泊松比 (在编织角约大于 35° 时) 也有所减小 ; 宽度为两倍和三倍单胞宽度的试件的刚度性能基本相同; 试件的纵向弹性模量和泊松比远大于横向弹性模量和泊松比; 拉伸和压缩时试件的弹性模量和泊松比基本接近 ; 在横向拉伸和压缩时试件的应力2应变曲线具有明显的非线性特征。实验结果为编织复合材料结构设计提供了数据参考。      

Estimating mechanical properties of 2D triaxially braided textile composites based on microstructure properties

Textile composites manufactured using Resin Transfer Modeling (RTM) can offer advantages in some automotive applications including reduction in weight, while being relatively simpler to fabricate than standard laminated composites used for aerospace applications. However, one of the challenges that arise with these textile composite materials is that the mechanical properties are inherently dependent on the local and final (in-situ) architecture of the textile itself as a result of the molding and curing processes. While this provides additional latitude in the composite design process it also necessitates the development of analytical models that can estimate the mechanical properties of a textile composite based on the textile architecture and the properties of the manufactured component.In this paper, an analytical model is developed and its estimations are compared against experimental in-plane engineering properties for composites with various textile architectures. Results from the model are also compared against finite element (FE) based computational results. The microstructures of the 2D triaxially braided composite (2DTBC) studied were extensively characterized. The microstructure properties thus measured were used in the analytical model to estimate the mechanical properties. Uniaxial tension and V-notched rail shear tests were conducted on 2DTBC with different textile architectures. Good agreement between the analytical, computational, and experimental results were observed and are reported here. Furthermore, computational estimations of matrix mechanical properties are limited to the linear elastic range of a representative material volume (unit cell) and coupon data. Full mechanical response of larger 2DTBC structures, albeit of prime interest, is beyond the scope of this work and could be the focus of follow up studies.     

光纤用于3-D编织复合材料结构失效分析的实验研究

针对编入光纤光栅的三维编织复合材料试件进行了拉伸实验,从宏观角度研究了各部分的力学行为,并对拉伸后试件断口进行了电镜扫描,从细观角度分析了结构的破坏机制,实验结果表明在光纤光栅失效后不久,编织结构预制件即开始从弹性区域进入到塑性区域。这有利于对编织结构失效位置和趋势的判定。从而也为今后从所编入光纤角度考虑来研究编织复合材料强度预估和失效判据奠定了实验基础。     

二维编织C/SiC陶瓷基复合材料的热传导系数预测

根据二维编织C/SiC复合材料的细观结构及其制备工艺特点,提出了一种预测该材料热传导系数的单胞模型。模型简化了编织结构纱线的实际构型,充分考虑了编织结构复合材料由于化学气相渗透(CVI)工艺制备陶瓷基复合材料产生的孔洞对热传导系数的影响。利用单胞模型预测了二维编织C/SiC的结构参数、纤维体积含量、孔洞体积含量对复合材料热传导系数的影响规律。结果表明: 随着纤维束扭结处产生间隙与纱线宽度比值的增大,热传导系数减小;当其它参数不变时,热传导系数随着纤维体积含量和孔洞体积含量的增加而下降。利用Hot Disk热测量仪采用瞬变平面热源法测试了二维编织C/SiC复合材料面内的热传导系数,试验结果与模型预测结果吻合较好。     

Investigation on the compressive properties of the three dimensional four-directional braided composites

The compressive mechanical properties of three dimensional (3D) braided composites are of key concern for design in actual engineering application. A representative volume cell (RVC) is chosen to study the uniaxial compressive mechanical properties of the braided composites with different braid angles by combing damage theory and finite element method. The fiber misalignment and longitudinal shear nonlinearity of braid yarn are considered in the computation model. And their influences on the compressive behavior of the braided composites are also evaluated. The damage development of constituents within the braided composites are obtained and analyzed. The main damage and failure modes and their interaction of braid yarn are provided as well. The numerical results are found that the compressive mechanical behavior of the braided composites with lower braid angle is sensitive to the fiber initial imperfection of braid yarn. The strength of the braided composites with different braid angle is controlled by the different microscopic failure modes.     

二维编织C/SiC复合材料的热膨胀系数预测

根据二维编织 C/ SiC复合材料的细观结构及其制备工艺特点 , 提出了一种预测该材料面内热膨胀系数的单胞模型。模型充分考虑了编织结构复合材料中的纤维束弯曲和 CVI工艺制备陶瓷基复合材料产生的孔洞对热膨胀系数的影响。利用单胞模型预测了二维编织 C/ SiC的结构参数、 纤维体积含量、 孔洞含量对复合材料热膨胀系数的影响规律 , 结果表明 : 随着纤维束扭结处产生间隙与纱线宽度比值的增大 , 热膨胀系数增大 ; 当其它参数不变时 , 随着纤维体积含量的增大 , 热膨胀系数反而下降; 随着孔洞含量的增加 , 热膨胀系数也出现了下降的趋势。利用 DIL402C热膨胀仪测试了二维编织 C/ SiC复合材料纵向热膨胀系数 , 试验结果与模型预测结果吻合较好。     

Effective thermal properties of viscoelastic composites having field-dependent constituent properties

This study introduces a micromechanical model for predicting effective thermal properties (linear coefficient of thermal expansion and thermal conductivity) of viscoelastic composites having solid spherical particle reinforcements. A representative volume element (RVE) of the composites is modeled by a single particle embedded in the cubic matrix. Periodic boundary conditions are imposed to the RVE. The micromechanical model consists of four particle and matrix subcells. Micromechanical relations are formulated in terms of incremental average field quantities, i.e., stress, strain, heat flux and temperature gradient, in the subcells. Perfect bonds are assumed along the subcell’s interfaces. Stress and temperature-dependent viscoelastic constitutive models are used for the isotropic constituents in the micromechanical model. Thermal properties of the particle and matrix constituents are temperature dependent. The effective coefficient of thermal expansion is derived by satisfying displacement and traction continuity at the interfaces during thermo-viscoelastic deformations. This formulation leads to an effective time–temperature–stress-dependent coefficient of thermal expansion. The effective thermal conductivity is formulated by imposing heat flux and temperature continuity at the subcells’ interfaces. The effective thermal properties obtained from the micromechanical model are compared with analytical solutions and experimental data available in the literature. Finally, parametric studies are also performed to investigate the effects of nonlinear thermal and mechanical properties of each constituent on the overall thermal properties of the composite.     

A new analytical model on predicting the elastic properties of 3D full five-directional braided composites based on a multiunit cell model

A new analytical model based on a multiunit cell model is proposed to predict the elastic properties of 3D full five-directional braided composites (F5DBC). The stiffness-volume averaging method is applied to predict the elastic properties of unit cell models in meso-scale and specimens in global-scale by using the multi-scale modeling procedures. The contribution of all unit cells to the elastic properties of specimen is considered in the analytical model. The predicted elastic properties are in good agreement with the available experimental data, demonstrating the applicability of the model. Also, the effects of the braiding angle and the fiber volume fraction on the elastic properties are discussed in detail. The elastic constants of each unit cell are analyzed and the effect of the number of yarn carriers on the mechanical properties is also investigated. Results indicate that it is convenient to apply the present analytical model to predict the elastic properties of 3D F5DBC due to high computational efficiency.     

三维四向编织复合材料有效性能的预报

根据三维四向编织复合材料中纤维束的空间几何结构特征, 建立了比较合理的三胞模型。模型中考虑了3种单胞各自纤维束的空间结构和弯曲, 同时引入纤维束填充因子来描述各类单胞中纤维束的不同截面形状对材料弹性常数的影响。基于刚度体平均方法, 建立了相应的刚度预报模型, 得到了三维四向编织复合材料的工程弹性常数。用细观力学方法分析了工艺参数和尺寸效应对材料有效性能的影响规律。不同尺寸试件的数值预报结果和实验结果吻合较好。      

The prediction on mechanical properties of 4-step braided composites via two-scale method

The two-scale method (TSM) is successfully applied to the prediction for the mechanics parameters of 4-step three dimensional braided composites, including stiffness parameters and strength parameters. The two independent micro-structure parameters, the braiding angle and the fiber volume fraction, are investigated in this paper. Both of them are implicitly included in the fabric of the unit cell of 4-step braided composites with 1 × 1 pattern. They directly influence the strength of 4-step braided composites, including tensile strength, bending strength and torsion strength. And then, the curves of the strength along with the braiding angle and the fiber volume fraction are illustrated. By the comparisons with experimental data, the two-scale method is validated to predict the mechanics parameters of 4-step braided composite materials.     

三维六向编织复合材料弹性性能理论预测

在三维六向编织物纱线运动规律的基础上, 建立了单胞模型, 推导了编织参数之间的数学关系。基于该模型, 采用改进的刚度平均化方法, 导出了三维六向编织复合材料的工程弹性常数, 分析了编织角和纤维体积含量对弹性性能的影响。结果表明, 三维六向编织复合材料具有良好的力学性能, 由于面内纬纱的加入, 使面内的力学性能得到了提高。      

Effective elastic, piezoelectric and dielectric properties of braided fabric composites

Composites based upon 3D textile preforms have found broad structural application. This paper presents an analytical methodology for functional composites using piezoceramic fibers in a 3D braided preform. The effective elastic, piezoelectric and dielectric properties of 2-step braided composites with a polymeric matrix have been investigated. In the analytical approach, the effective properties of the braider and axial yarns of the unit cells are determined first using a 3D connectivity model. Then, the effective properties of the 2-step braided composite are predicted using an averaging technique. Results of a numerical example illustrating the variation of elastic, piezoelectric and dielectric constants with the braider yarn angle are provided. Textile preforming technique in general offers the potential of near net shape forming and 3D fiber placement. The present work provides the analytical basis for 3D piezoceramic textile composites.