Stiffness determination of 2 and 3-axial flat braiding composites using micromechanics method

Abstract

This paper is concerned with geometric modelling and elastic properties of 2D biaxial and triaxial braided composite. A representative unit cell (RUC) of the braid architectures are first identified along with its constituents. Geometric parameters of braided structures are compared with each other. Method of inclusions with Mori-Tanaka homogenization was used in the determination of elastic properties of the unit-cell via Tex-Comp software. As a result, higher amount of crimp occurs in triaxial braided structures compare to biaxial structures generated using same yarn and construction. Therefore, elastic modulus of triaxial structure diminishes compare to that of biaxial structure. But however, the axial yarn reinforcement in triaxial structures ensures 4 times higher axial strength in the axial direction relation to biaxial structures that it provides. These results are verified experimentally.