Elastic Properties of 2-Step Braided Composites

3차원 2-Step Braided 복합재료의 탄성 계수 예측

In order to acquire more comprehensive understanding of textile composites, the processing-microstructure-performance relationships for a variety of material systems, reinforcing schemes and processing technologies should be established. In this paper, emphasis is placed on the integrated analysis of three-dimensional (3-D) 2-step braided composites. The analysis includes the geometric model of unit cells, identification of key process parameters and processing windows due to limiting geometries of yarn jamming, and prediction of elastic constants of the composite. The coordinate transformation and averaging of stiffness and compliance constants are utilized in the prediction of elastic constants. Since there are several types of unit cells in the thickness and width directions of the composites, characterization of mechanical properties is based upon the macro-cell, which occupies the entire cross-section and the unit pitch length of the sample. The performance map demonstrates that a wide range of elastic properties can be achieved by varying the geometric and process parameters.