INFLUENCE OF TEX LINEAR DENSITY ON MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF 3D WOVEN I-BEAM COMPOSITES

Abstract

In heterogeneous structures such as composites, load transfer is one of the most critical issues that need to be improved where poor interphase between the fiber and matrix is observed. Moreover, the weak interface between the composite plies also induces delamination behavior as a dominant failure mechanism. An innovative approach, 3D weaving, is used to eliminate delamination by improving the toughness of out-of-plane yarns in 3D woven fabrics without secondary processing required. In this study, 3D rectangular spacer fabrics were woven from E-glass fibers (GFs) with 600 and 1200 TEX linear densities at the same warp and weft densities Then, 3D composites were fabricated by vacuum infusion process (VIP) coupled with a custom-designed 3D molding. Depending on TEX, void content, fiber volume fraction, mass, and crimp values change and the effect on the specific flexural strength of I-beams has been investigated. © 2022 Dincer et al.