Experimental study on the bending fatigue behaviors of 3D five directional braided T-shaped composites

The static three-point bending properties and cyclic bending fatigue performances of three-dimensional five-directional braided T-beam composite (3D5DBTC) have been investigated at room temperature. The fatigue life of 3D5DBTC under different stress levels was analyzed based on the obtained S-N curves. The load-displacement hysteresis loops curves and stiffness degradation curves were recorded to reveal the relationship between stiffness degradation and damage evolution. It is shown that there were three distinct stages corresponding respectively to matrix cracks, interface debonding, and fiber breaking in the whole fatigue loading. In addition, to understand the ultimate fracture failure mechanism of 3D5DBTC under the different fatigue loading conditions, the damage morphologies of 3D5DBTC after fatigue testing were observed by macrographs and SEM micrographs. The matrix crack and the resin-yarns interface debonding occurred on the flange while fiber breakages occurred in the web. Meanwhile, macrographs and SEM images confirm that fiber breaking is the dominant damage under the high stress level, while matrix cracking and interfacial debonding are the main failure modes at low stress level.