The shear properties of woven carbon fabric

This paper presents experimental and theoretical studies of the shearing pr operties of carbon plain weave fabrics and prepregs. The shearing character istics of these materials are determined by the use of a picture frame shea r rig which is loaded by a mechanical test machine. The shear force/angle c urves are presented for the experiments conducted with the various test mat erials. A proposed shear model based on Previous research which idealizes t he fabric yarns as beam elements is presented. Using fabric geometric and m aterial parameters, the model predicts the initial slip region of the fabri c, as well as the more dominant elastic deformation range. Comparisons of t he experimental and theoretical results were conducted to validate the mode l. A discussion of the findings from the analysis is also given, with parti cular focus relating to the accuracy, limitations and advantages offered by such a model. Results indicated that the slip model gives modestly accurat e predictions, whilst the elastic modulus model showed very good correlatio n with experimental data. (C) 2000 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All r ights reserved.