ASSESSMENT OF THE FATIGUE LIFE OF 3D TEXTILE REINFORCED COMPOSITES

The broad range of applications of 3D textile reinforced composites requires an in-depth knowledge of their mechanical properties. Among those, the fatigue behaviour receives high demand in several industrial applications. In this paper an overview of some experimental investigations is summarized to assess the influence of the three-dimensional architecture of the preform on the fatigue properties and damage evolution. The considered composite materials were produced using epoxy resins reinforced with: non-crimp 3D orthogonal weave E-glass fabric; 3D braided carbon fabric; structurally stitched carbon multi-ply preform. The tensile-tensile fatigue response was investigated in the principal directions for several load levels to get a complete understanding of the influence of the 3D reinforcements on the fatigue life. Damage initiation and development during cyclic loading were investigated by means different techniques.