Abstract
This paper presents a comprehensive series of mechanical tests performed on two high performance polymeric fibres, microbraids and microbraid reinforced polymer composites (mBRPC). Quasi-static tests were performed on the raw materials and the effect of different gauge lengths and strain rates investigated. Then, microbraids having sub-millimetre diameters were manufactured from the raw yarns using a Maypole-type braiding machine. The effects of different braid architectures, number of braided yarns and bias angles were assessed through a series of tensile tests on dry microbraids. A novel and unique manufacturing method of aligning microbraids in a unidirectional fashion via robotised filament winding was developed to manufacture microbraid reinforced polymer composites (mBRPC). Quasi-static tensile tests performed on mBRPC showed improved mechanical properties, for certain architectures, with respect to those noted for unidirectional composites manufactured using same technique.
Highlights
IntroductionHigh performance polymeric fibres are extensively used to make personal protective textiles and as reinforcing phase in polymer composite materials
High performance polymeric fibres are extensively used to make personal protective textiles and as reinforcing phase in polymer composite materials. Thanks to their high tenacity and toughness, low elongation at break as well as the ability to dissipate shock waves over large areas in a short amount of time, they are very suitable for applications where impact resistance and energy absorption capabilities are of vital importance
The Young’s modulus, tensile strength and strain were little affected by changing the test speed for a fixed gauge length, meaning a very small dependency of the aforementioned mechanical properties over the investigated gauge lengths
Summary
High performance polymeric fibres are extensively used to make personal protective textiles and as reinforcing phase in polymer composite materials. Thanks to their high tenacity and toughness, low elongation at break as well as the ability to dissipate shock waves over large areas in a short amount of time, they are very suitable for applications where impact resistance and energy absorption capabilities are of vital importance. Braids can be produced as 2D, in flat or tubular form, and as 3D structures. The former contains only two sets of strands through the thickness, and axial yarns in case of triaxial braids, whereas the latter have several strands through the thickness.
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