Effect of stitching and weave architecture on the high strain rate compression response of affordable woven carbon/epoxy composites

• Published in: Composite structures Vol. 59; no. 4; pp. 507 - 523
• Main Authors: Hosur, M.V, Adya, M, Vaidya, U.K, Mayer, A, Jeelani, S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01-03-2003; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Composites; Exact sciences and technology; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; High strain rate loading; Hopkinson pressure bar; Mechanical properties; Physical properties; Polymer industry, paints, wood; Properties and testing; Stitching; Technology of polymers; Vacuum assisted resin infusion molding; Woven composites; Hopkinson pressure bar; Vacuum assisted resin infusion molding; Stitching; High strain rate loading; Woven composites; Scanning electron microscopy; Stratified material; Stress strain relation; Rupture; Epoxy resin; Experimental study; Compression test; Composite material; Dynamic test; Optical microscopy; Carbon fiber reinforced plastics; Woven material; Structure; Needled material; Static test; Fracture mode; Carbon fiber; Strain rate
• ISSN: 0263-8223; 1879-1085
• DOI: 10.1016/S0263-8223(02)00247-7

In this study, experimental investigations on stitched and unstitched woven carbon/epoxy laminates under high strain rate compression loading are discussed. Stitched/unstitched laminates are fabricated with aerospace grade plain and satin weave fabrics with room temperature curing SC-15 epoxy resin using affordable vacuum assisted resin infusion molding process. The samples are subjected to high strain rate loading using modified compression split Hopkinson’s pressure bar at three different strain rates ranging from 320 to 1149 s
−1. Results are discussed in terms of unstitched/stitched configuration, fabric type and loading directions. Dynamic compression properties are compared with those of static loading. Failure mechanisms are characterized through optical and scanning microscopy.