Characterisation of the mesoscopic and macroscopic friction behaviours of glass plain weave reinforcement

Friction at different levels of the multi-scale structure of textile reinforcements is one of the most significant phenomena in the forming of dry fabric composites. This paper investigates the effect of the test conditions on fabric/fabric and yarn/yarn friction. Friction tests were performed on a glass plain weave and its constitutive yarns, varying the pressure and velocity. The results showed that the friction behaviours at the two scales were highly sensitive to these two parameters. An increase in pressure led to a decrease in the friction coefficients until steady values were reached, while an increase in velocity led to an increase in the friction coefficients. At each scale, the frictional behaviour of the material was significantly influenced by the structural reorganisation of the lower scale.