The shear properties of woven carbon fabric

This paper presents experimental and theoretical studies of the shearing properties of carbon plain weave fabrics and prepregs. The shearing characteristics of these materials are determined by the use of a picture frame shear rig which is loaded by a mechanical test machine. The shear force/angle curves are presented for the experiments conducted with the various test materials. A proposed shear model based on previous research which idealizes the fabric yarns as beam elements is presented. Using fabric geometric and material parameters, the model predicts the initial slip region of the fabric, as well as the more dominant elastic deformation range. Comparisons of the experimental and theoretical results were conducted to validate the model. A discussion of the findings from the analysis is also given, with particular focus relating to the accuracy, limitations and advantages offered by such a model. Results indicated that the slip model gives modestly accurate predictions, whilst the elastic modulus model showed very good correlation with experimental data.