The relative effects of through-thickness properties and fibre orientationon energy absorption by continuous fibre composites

A study was conducted to investigate the effects of through-thickness prope rties on the crush behaviour of glass-fibre-polyester resin composites prod uced from various fabrics. Interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) values were r ecorded from short beam shear tests and used as a measure of through-thickn ess strength for each fabric construction tested. The ILSS values were then plotted against the specific sustained crushing stress (SSCS) values obtai ned for each material using a plate crushing test. A significant link betwe en the ILSS and SSCS was recorded for laminates which appears independent o f fibre alignment in the laminate. Indications are that the key route to im proving the energy absorbing properties of glass fibre based composites is to raise the interlaminar and through-thickness strengths of the materials. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.