Mechanical characterisation of glass- and carbon-fibre-reinforced composites made with non-crimp fabrics

• Published in: Composites science and technology Vol. 57; no. 9; pp. 1221 - 1241
• Main Authors: Bibo, G.A., Hogg, P.J., Kemp, M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.01.1997; Elsevier
• Subjects: A. fabrics/textiles; A. polymer-matrix composites (PMCs); Applied sciences; B. mechanical properties; B. strength; C. deformation; Exact sciences and technology; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; Laminates; Polymer industry, paints, wood; Technology of polymers; A. polymer-matrix composites (PMCs); A. fabrics/textiles; B. mechanical properties; B. strength; C. deformation; Volume fraction; Laminate; Unidirectional fiber material; Fiber reinforced material; Mechanical properties; Epoxy resin; Tensile property; Compressive strength; Experimental study; Property processing relationship; Composite material; Bending strength; Fiber orientation; Woven material; Glass fiber; Comparative study; Fracture mode; Carbon fiber
• ISSN: 0266-3538; 1879-1050
• DOI: 10.1016/S0266-3538(97)00053-5

The labour-intensive requirements of manufacturing unidirectional prepreg tape laminates is driving industry to examine alternative processing routes that combine all the attributes of unidirectional prepreg tapes, but with reduced cost. One such technique that offers automated high-volume production with the potential for near-net-shape manufacturing is the textile process. The genre of particular interest in this investigation was the warp-knit (non-crimp) fabric. The ‘elastic’ macro-mechanical behaviour of the unidirectional prepreg tapes and non-crimp fabrics were predicted satisfactorily by using classical thin laminate theory. Mechanisms of failure in the non-crimp fabrics may generally be linked to crimp in the tows, but with subtle differences driving failure in tension and compression.