Effects of Braiding Parameters on Energy Absorption Capability of Triaxially Braided Composite Tubes

Abstract

The effects of two different braiding parameters, the braiding angle and the axial yarn content, on the crush failure characteristics and specific energy absorption capability of two-dimensional (2D) triaxially braided composite circular tubes were studied. Quasi-static axial compression was employed for these crush tests. The crushing appearance and failure modes in the crushing zones were examined by optical microscopy. The results showed that the triaxially braided carbon composite tubes were crushed by a progressive splaying mode. The average width of the splaying fronds increased with increasing braiding angle, but decreased with increasing axial yarn content. The tube with 200 braiding angle showed the highest specific energy absorption among the tubes with various braiding angles. And the tubes using 6k-12k fiber tows as the axial yarn exhibited higher specific energy absorption among the tubes with various axial yarn content.