Comparisons of axial compression behaviors between four-directional and five-directional braided composite tubes under high strain rate loading

Abstract

This paper reports the compressive behaviors of three-dimensional four-directional and three-dimensional five-directional circular braided composite tubes subjected to quasi-static and impact compressions along longitudinal direction. The compression tests of the three-dimensional four-directional and three-dimensional five-directional carbon fiber/epoxy circular braided composite tubes were tested under strain rates ranging from 0.001 to 884 s–1. The compression stress–strain curves were obtained and the damage morphologies were observed to analyze the damage behaviors. A microstructure model of the braided preform and the braided composite tube was established to calculate the compressive deformation and damage mechanisms with finite element method. The stress–strain curves, specific energy absorption, deformations, and damage morphologies were sensitive to the strain rate and the braiding structures. The three-dimensional five-directional braided composite tubes have higher compressive strength and specific energy absorptions than the three-dimensional four-directional braided composite tubes.