The Effect of the Structural Parameters of 3D Orthogonal Woven Composites on their Impact Responses under Different Modes of Impact

Abstract

Development of three-dimensional (3D) weaving technology introduced new and enhanced features to the 2D weaving technology. 3D Orthogonal Woven (3DOW) preforms have a through-thickness yarn component that significantly enhances the impact resistance and delamination resistance. In this study, a range of 3DOW E-glass preforms were woven using 3D weaving technology and then converted into composites, using vacuum assisted resin transfer molding technology. The composite samples had varying structural parameters, such as, number of Y-yarn layers, X-yarn pick density, Z-yarn interlacing pattern. The purpose was to study the effect of changing those structural parameters on the different impact responses of the 3DOW composites under different modes of impact, namely, tup, Izod and Charpy impact. The study indicated that, the number of Y-yarn layers, had the most significant effect on the total tup, Izod, and Charpy impact energies. The X-yarn pick density, had slight effect on the three modes of impact, while the Z-yarn weave design only had a slight significant effect on the tup and Charpy impact energy.