Compressive behavior of 3-D angle-interlock woven fabric composites at various strain rates

The compressive properties of 3-D angle-interlock E-glass/vinyl ester woven composites at quasi-static and high strain rate loadings have been investigated to evaluate the compressive failure mode at different strain rates. The through-thickness compressive properties at high strain rates from 800 to 2700 s−1 were tested using the split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) technique. The compressive properties at quasi-static strain rate were also tested and compared with those at high strain rates. The results indicate that the stress- strain curves are rate sensitive and compressive stiffness, maximum compressive stress and corresponding compressive strain are also sensitive to the strain rate. The compressive stiffness, maximum compressive stress, of the 3-D woven fabric composites linearly increased with the strain rate. The compressive failure of the composite specimen tends to be in shear failure mode and it is completely broken at high strain rates while only compressive deformation could be observed in quasi-static loading.