Experimental Research on Low-Velocity Impact Properties of 3D Braided Composites
This research dealt with the impact properties of glass fiber reinforced composites manufactured from different structures of three-dimensional braided preforms. Three different architectures of the braid structures, 4-Direction, 5-Direction and 6-Direction, were investigated together with three further various braiding angles of each architecture. The effect of architecture and braiding angle parameters upon the impact was examined. Damage morphology of the impacted materials was characterized. It has been found that the parameters affected the damage resistance and tolerance of composites evidently. 6-Directional composites showed higher impact toughness than the others with same braiding angle. Failure of the specimens with small damage area revealed the brittle characteristic of 3D braided composite.