Compressive behavior of triaxially braided metal-CFRP hybrid lattice structures

Abstract

Cellular approaches facilitate the flexible design of materials with desirable properties that may be manufactured from single polymers, metals, and, recently, fiber-reinforced composites. This paper describes cellular materials with metal and carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) struts. Composite lattice tubular structures were automatically braided, and the effects of axial CFRP yarns on the compressive behaviors of braided lattices were studied. Metal wire-reinforced plastic and metal rods served as axial yarns when preparing hybrid triaxially braided metal-CFRP lattices. The effects of the axial yarns in polyurethane (PU) foam-filled samples were also assessed. Ten braided structures were manufactured, and their compressive behavior and energy absorption were evaluated by axial compression tests. Finite element (FE) simulations were used to investigate deformation, buckling, and damage. Addition of axial CFRP yarns improved the compressive properties; the specific absorbed energy (SAE) increased by 16%. Hybridization further enhanced the SAE by 62%.