FORMING OF A NON-CRIMP 3D ORTHOGONAL WEAVE E-GLASS COMPOSITE REINFORCEMENT

In this work, the formability of a single layer E-glass non-crimp 3D orthogonal woven reinforcement (commercialized under trademark 3WEAVE® by 3Tex Inc.) is experimentally investigated. The first phase of the study is dedicated to the understanding and measurement of the main deformation mechanisms occurring during forming processes. The deformation during extension is investigated under biaxial loading in the in-plane tows directions (i.e. warp and weft). Particular attention is dedicated to the behaviour during shear loading because this is considered the primary deformation mechanism in the reinforcement forming. The second phase involves the forming process of the 3D fabric on two moulds, i.e. tetrahedral and double-dome shape. The tests are assisted by 3D digital image correlation (DIC) technique to have a continuous measurement of the local deformation in the fabric plane during forming processes. The obtained results represent useful information and comparison to predictive numerical modelling of the forming process with such 3D composite reinforcement.