Predicting Elastic Constants of 2D-Braided Fiber Rigid and Elastomeric–Polymeric Matrix Composites

Abstract

In a previous work, an analytical model based on Classical Laminate Plate Theory (CLPT) was developed to predict the braid elastic constants (Ex, Ey, Gxy and xy) of closed-mesh 2Dbraided fiber composite. In this work, the sensitivity of the braid elastic constants to composite constituent elastic constants was evaluated. The torsion of thin-walled tubes was used to experimentally obtain the braid shear modulus. The results predicted by the model are in good agreement with other models and with experimental results for Ex and Gxy of Kevlar 49 fiber-braided tubes with both rigid epoxy and elastomeric polyurethane resin matrices.