A permeability prediction for (un)sheared non-crimp fabrics

A permeability prediction model for relaxed and sheared Non-Crimp Fabrics is proposed. The model is based on geometrical features of the fabric. The stitches penetrating the uni-directional plies of the NCF induce distortions of the fibres in the plane of the fabric. These Stitch Yarn induced fibre Distortions (SYD) form flow channels, which determine the permeability of the NCF. The channels are connected to each other in overlap regions, allowing the fluid to flow from one channel to another and finally to impregnate the entire preform. A network of SYD flow channels is created to account for the statistical variations in the dimensions of the SYDs. The system of flow resistances is solved analogously to the solution of the effective resistance of an electrical circuit with parallel and serial resistances. The flow in each of the SYD domains is calculated employing an energy minimisation method. Analysis of different networks, with varying spatial distribution of the dimensions of the flow channels, allows the prediction of the variation in the permeability of an NC

Damage in textile laminates of various inter-ply shift

Deformation mechanisms and failure of textile laminates are strongly affected by inter-layer configurations – a mutual shift of the plies. To model it within a traditional framework, one must construct a representative volume element (RVE), which includes all the plies. This is a time consuming and computationally expensive work. As an alternative, the paper suggests boundary conditions (BC) imitating the interaction with the surrounding non-periodic media. This makes possible analysis on a single unit cell of one ply. The proposed BC respect inter-ply configurations, account for the number of plies, distinguish the ply position, and reproduce the meso stress state with a good accuracy. The BC are constructed through (1) averaging of the known periodic solutions with respect to the ply shifts, (2) separation of the solution to the outer and inner ply cases, (3) energy equilibrium of heterogeneous and effective media. The unit cell finite element (FE) modelling is validated by reference full scale solution on the entire laminate

Fibre distribution inside yarns of textile composite: gemetrical and FE modelling

This article addresses the experimental investigation and modelling of the uneven fibre distribution inside yarns of a textile composite. The test data is given for the tri-axial carbon-fibre braid; a considerable irregularity is revealed for the fibre distribution along and across the yarns. The importance of this effect for the damage resistance is illustrated with a simple finite-element (FE) model. The geometrical modelling of the internal geometry is also discussed

FE modelling of a structurally stitched multilayer composite

Finite-element models are presented for a typical structurally stitched carbonfibre composite. The term 'structural' means that the stitching yarn is thick enough to form a through-the-thickness reinforcement. The influences of different model features are revealed. The stitching, on the one hand, is shown to increase the stiffness, especially its out-plane component. On the other hand, it creates prominent stress-strain concentrators

Internal structure of structurally stitched NCF preform

The paper addresses the experimental investigation of the unit cell architecture in a structurally stitched multilayer carbon-fibre preform. Each layer is a multiaxial multiply non-crimp fabric (NCF) knit with a non-structural stitching. The term “structural” presumes here that the stitching yarn does not only consolidate the plies (as the non-structural one does) but also forms a 3D reinforcement. One stitching technique — tufting — is studied, with 120 tex aramide yarn. The experimental data reveals a considerable irregularity of the piercing pattern and fibre distribution

Deformability of a textile reinforcement modified with nanofibres

Deformability of a textile fabric is studied experimentally using a) friction test, b) out-of-plane compression, and c) bending. These tests reveal that a grafting of the fabric with carbon nano-fibres can significantly deteriorate its deformability. Therefore an optimal CNF mass fraction should be chosen for a particular production case, to obtain a compromise between improved strength and decreased drapability

Progressive damage in stitched composites: Static tensile tests and tension-tension fatigue

The paper describes progressive damage in static tensile tests and tension-tension fatigue in structurally stitched carbon/epoxy NCF composites, in comparison with their non-stitched counterparts. Analogies between damage development in quasi-static tension and tension-tension fatigue are analyzed and links between the damage initiation thresholds in quasi-static tests and fatigue life are established