Comparative analysis of the mechanical performance of 3D woven honeycomb composites produced in warp and weft directions

Abstract

This research work focuses on the design and manufacturing of 3D woven honeycomb fabrics and their composites in both warp and weft directions. An experimental investigation of the mechanical properties of these two composite materials was carried out. For this purpose, at first, a 3D woven honeycomb in both directions was fabricated on a customized multi-beam 3D weaving machine using E-glass fibers. The composites were created by VARIM (Vacuum assisted resin infusion method) process using epoxy resin and Aradur hardener. The mechanical characteristics such as compression, three-point bending, and in-plane impact of composite samples were investigated keeping cell parameters constant. There will be a change in composite properties as tension in warp and weft is different. Crimp and modulus will also be different. The comparison of mechanical properties of these two honeycomb composite samples revealed that warp way honeycomb shows better properties in edgewise compression and three-point bending test while weft way honeycomb shows higher energy absorption under flatwise compression and in-plane impact test. The direction of cell channels gives the direction of loading to the threads, which affects the mechanical properties.