Mechanical properties of 3-D glass/polyester resin cellular woven composite under impact loading

Purpose ‐ The aim of this paper is to investigate transverse impact behaviour and energy absorption of 3-D glass/polyester resin cellular woven composite impacted by flat-ended rod and to discuss the failure modes of the composite under quasi-static and dynamic loading. Design/methodology/approach ‐ The quasi-static compression tests were conducted with MTS 810.23 tester. The impact behaviours of the 3-D cellular woven composite were tested with a modified split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) apparatus. Findings ‐ Failure loads and energy absorption capacities of the 3-D cellular woven composite increase as the increase of load speed, i.e. the composite is strain rate sensitive. The failure loads and energy absorptions in warp direction are lower than those in weft direction at the same loading speed because of the lower linear density of warp yarns. The damage morphologies of the 3-D cellular woven composite manifest the compression failure in the front side and tension failure in rear side. Research limitations/implications ‐ The influence of different structure parameters on the failure mode should be studied. Practical implications ‐ The study provided information on the failure mode and energy absorption of the 3-D cellular woven composite under impulsive loading. This could be used for light weight structure design, such as vehicle and aircraft stringer structures. Originality/value ‐ Understanding energy absorption of the 3-D cellular woven composite under transverse impact is much more important than those under quasi-static loading. This paper provides the results of dynamic mechanical properties of a new kind of 3-D cellular woven composite under impact loading.