Geometrical Analysis of 3D Integrated Woven Fabric Reinforced Core Sandwich Composites

Abstract

The variability of the internal geometry parameters, such as the waviness of yarns, cross sections of yarns and local fibre volume fraction of 3-dimensional (3D) integrated woven core sandwich composites affects their mechanical properties. The objective of this study was to define the geometrical and structural parameters of 3D integrated woven core sandwich composites, including the fold ratio of pile threads, the fabric areal weight and the fibre volume fraction by changing the core thickness of 3D sandwich core fabric. 3D fabrics with different core thicknesses were used for reinforcement. It was confirmed that the pile fold ratio, slope angle and pile length increase with an increase in the core thickness of the fabric. The difference between the calculated and experimental areal weights of fabrics was in the range of 5-13%. A novel approach was also presented to define the fibre volume fraction of 3D woven core sandwich composites.