Open hole tension and compression behavior of 3D braided composites

Abstract The damage tolerant behavior of 3D braided composites is evaluated in terms of the open‐hole notch strength test under tensile and compressive loading. The influence of fiber architecture is evaluated by comparing 3D braid with and without axial yarns as well as laminated composites based on ASTM quasi‐static tension and compression testing standard. The results show that the notched and un‐notched properties of the two types of 3D braided composites are similar under tension and compression loading. Comparing to laminates, both types of 3D braided composites demonstrated superior notch insensitivity than laminated composites. For the failure behavior of the 3D braided composites, under tension loading, crack of both notched specimens tends to propagate along the notch and finally render the specimen to failure. Clear cracks usually presented on the samples without axial yarns, while not for the specimens with axial yarn. Under compression loading, the two types of 3D braided composite are also macroscopically similar, showing transverse fracture. The modified Fabric Geometry Model is used to predict the tensile properties of 3D braided composite. The predicted and experimental results are shown to be in good agreement.