ON THE INFLUENCE OF WEAVE STRUCTURE ON PIN-LOADED STRENGTH OF ORTHOGONAL 3D COMPOSITES

Orthogonal three-dimensional (3D) carbon fibre fabrics with different weave structures were obtained by varying the yarn spacing and number of carbon filaments per tow in the x-, y- and z-directions during weav ing. These weave structures were impregnated with epoxy resin to produ ce orthogonal 3D carbon/epoxy composites. In addition, one-dimensional (0-degrees and 90-degrees unidirectional) and two-dimensional (cross- ply and plain fabric) laminates were prepared from the same carbon fib res and epoxy resin. Single-hole pin-loaded specimens of each material were tested in tension, and the influences of reinforcement type, wea ve structure, specimen width-to-hole diamater ratio and edge distance- to-hole diameter ratio evaluated. Various modes of failure were observ ed in the specimens. The effect of in-plane and out-of-plane fibres on the pin-loaded strength of orthogonal 3D composites is discussed.