Influence of Fibre Architectures on the Mechanical Properties and Damage Failures of Composite Laminates.

Owing to the importance of fibre architectures in the design of textile composite materials, understanding their effect on the failure mechanisms of these composites have taken more considerations. In this regards, non-crimp preform and 2/2 twill fabric have been manufactured from glass fibre by using pin-board and power loom machines respectively, and subsequently composites laminates from both preforms are manufactured via vacuum assisted resin infusion method. In addition, quasi-static tensile and compressive strength tests have been conducted for the composite laminates that have same volume fraction. Damage failure mechanisms that occurred in compressive strength in both composites have been examined by using scanning electronic machine (SEM). Findings show that the mechanical properties are primly determined by fibre architectures and the presence of fibre crimp can further weaken tensile and compressive strength values. It was noticed that the tensile strength of non-crimp composite was 610 MPa whereas that of twill fabrics composite laminates it was found to be 350 MPa and 440 MPa in warp and weft directions respectively. Moreover, in case of twill fabric composites, fibre crimp has a considerable effect on the mode and characteristics of damage in the compressive loading; this leads to fibre fracture and kinks that primarily happened in the intersection point of warp and weft yarns. Results also showed improved ductility, strain to failure and absorbing energy in the twill fabric composites compared to non-crimp composites under in-plane shear strength test. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]