Through-thickness mechanical characterization of woven fabric composites

The objective of this study was to investigate the interlaminar or through-thickness deformation and failure of woven fabric composites subjected to quasi-static loading and develop testing methods and specimens that would provide both elastic properties and strengths for moderately thick composites. This study was performed on a thick composite consisting of a satin weave carbon fabric impregnated with an amine-cured epoxy resin. All through-thickness mechanical properties under compressive, tensile, and shear loading with their corresponding failure mechanisms were determined. These properties were also correlated with the corresponding ones for a unidirectional composite having the same fiber and matrix.