Abstract
With advantages in efficiency and convenience, analytical models using experimental inputs to predict the mechanical properties of plain-woven fabric (PWF) composites are reliable in guaranteeing the composites’ engineering applications. Considering the importance of the aspect above, a new analytical model for predicting the uniaxial tensile modulus of PWF is proposed in this article. The composite yarns are first simplified as the lenticular-shaped cross-sections undulate along arc-composed paths. Force analyses of the yarn segments are then carried out with the internal interactions simplified, and the analytical model is subsequently deduced from the principle of minimum potential energy and Castigliano’s second theorem. The PWF of T300/Cycom970 is chosen as the study object to which the proposed analytical model is applied. Microscopic observations and thermal ablation experiments are conducted on the specimens to obtain the necessary inputs. The uniaxial tensile modulus is calculated and tensile experiments on the laminates are performed to validate the analytical prediction. The small deviation between the experimental and analytical results indicates the feasibility of the proposed analytical model, which has good prospects in validating the effectiveness of the experimentally obtained modeling parameters and guaranteeing the accuracy of mesoscale modeling for the PWF.
Highlights
With the characteristics of lighter weight in addition to higher stiffness and strength, fiber-reinforced composites have been widely used in the aerospace industry
In order to reduce production costs and simplify the machining processes plain-woven fabric composites are becoming increasingly important in the design and manufacturing of lightweight aerospace structures
Scanning electron microscopes (SEMs) and digital imaging systems are frequently used in the microscopic observations of composites
Summary
With the characteristics of lighter weight in addition to higher stiffness and strength, fiber-reinforced composites have been widely used in the aerospace industry. With the aim of improving the level of structural design and analysis, it is necessary to understand the loading response and failure mechanism of plain-woven composites. Obtaining the mechanical properties of the plain-woven composites and evaluating the properties’ effects are necessary preconditions for the following structural analysis. The mesoscale RUC is an important stress transformation medium of the plain-woven fabric composites’ multiscale analysis, and its accurate establishment is necessary for further failure analysis. Using the fiber tows’ geometric and mechanical parameters as inputs and having an advantage in calculation efficiency, reliable analytical models have broad prospects in engineering applications in validating the effectiveness of the experimentally obtained modeling parameters and guaranteeing the accuracy of the established RUC. In this article attempts have been made to develop a new reliable analytical model with experimental inputs in calculating the uniaxial tensile modulus of plain-woven fabric composites. Tensile experiments on the T300/Cycom970 laminates are conducted and the effectiveness of the analytical model is validated
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