Compressive Failure Characteristics of 3D Four-Directional Braided Composites with Prefabricated Holes

• Published in: Materials Vol. 17; no. 15; p. 3821
• Main Authors: Wang, Xin, Li, Hanhua, Zhang, Yuxuan, Guan, Yue, Yan, Shi, Zhai, Junjun
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 02.08.2024
• Subjects: 3D4d braided composites; Acoustic microscopes; Braided composites; Braiding; Carbon fibers; Compressive properties; Compressive strength; Cost analysis; Damage tolerance; Digital imaging; Dimensional tolerances; Epoxy resins; Error analysis; Experiments; failure mechanism; Failure mechanisms; Failure modes; Finite element analysis; Finite element method; Hole defects; Image compression; Image enhancement; Laminated materials; Macroscopic models; Mechanical properties; Microscopy; Porous materials; Predictive control; prefabricated holes; Prefabrication; Shear strength; Tensile strength; Three dimensional composites; Yarn; China; 3D4d braided composites; damage tolerance; failure mechanism; prefabricated holes
• ISSN: 1996-1944; 1996-1944
• DOI: 10.3390/ma17153821

The low delamination tendency and high damage tolerance of three-dimensional (3D) braided composites highlight their significant potential in handling defects. To enhance the engineering potential of three-dimensional four-directional (3D4d) braided composites and assess the failure mode of hole defects, this study introduces a series of 3D4d braided composites with prefabricated holes, studying their compressive properties and failure mechanisms through experimental and finite element methods. Digital image correlation (DIC) was used to monitor the compressive strain on the surface of materials. Scanning acoustic microscope (SAM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to characterize the longitudinal compression failure mode inside the material. A macroscopic model is established, and the porous materials are predicted by using the general braided composite material prediction theory. While reducing the forecast cost, the error is also controlled within 21%. The analysis of failure mechanisms elucidates the damage extension mode, and the porous damage tolerance ability aligns closely with the bearing mode of braided material structure. Different braiding angles will lead to different bearing modes of materials. Under longitudinal compression, the average strength loss of 15° specimens is 38.21%, and that of 30° specimens is 8.1%. The larger the braided angle, the stronger the porous damage tolerance. Different types of prefabricated holes will also affect their mechanical properties and damage tolerance.