Three-point flexural performance of tailor-braided thermoplastic composite beam structures

Abstract This work investigates the potential of improving mechanical performance braided composite beams through introduction local braid angle variations. Tubular with a 45°/60°/45° length-wise (axial) variation were manufactured and tested in quasi-static three-point flexure their was compared having layer-wise (radial) [±60°/±45°/±45°] variation. Compared to uniform angles, axial tailoring resulted equivalent flexural 24% reduction part weight. In contrast, radial direction did not yield any improvement mass-specific performance. Deformation analysis using an extensometer digital image correlation showed that each layer comprehensive shift deformation characteristics. Changing outer across whole beam partial change mode, but match modification observed