Influence of strain-rate on the uniaxial compressive behavior of 2-D braided textile composites

The uniaxial compressive stress-strain response and the associated observed micro-structural deformation mechanisms of three braided textile composite sheets were experimentally investigated at quasi-static and high-strain-ra tes. The compressive loads were applied in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the textile composites. For quasi-static loading, the three compo sites exhibited a non-linear elastic response followed by a load-drop at th e on-set of matrix failure. With further increase in load, the axial and bi as braids were stretched in the matrix damaged zones resulting in inelastic deformation at a constant stress level. Under high-strain-rate loading con ditions, the yield strength increased upto 60%, and the overall stress did not unload as a function of strain. Composites with a greater number of lay -ups exhibited nonuniform deformation along the thickness direction in the form of shear fracture through several lay-ups. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science L td. All rights reserved.