Characterisation of the draping behaviour of unidirectional non-crimp fabrics (UD-NCF). (January 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Schirmaier, F.J.; Weidenmann, K.A.; Kärger, L.; Henning, F.
• Is Part Of: Composites. Volume 80(2016)
• Page Start: 28
• Page End: 38
• Publication Date: 2016-01
• Subjects: A. Fabrics/textile -- B. Mechanical properties -- D. Mechanical testing -- E. Forming; Composite materials -- Periodicals; Manufacturing processes -- Periodicals; Composite materials; Manufacturing processes; Periodicals; 620.11805
• DOI: 10.1016/j.compositesa.2015.10.004
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1359-835X

Abstract

Abstract: Thin composites shell structures manufactured from stitched unidirectional non-crimp fabrics (UD-NCF) in a liquid composite moulding process provides high lightweight design capabilities. However, draping behaviour of UD-NCF has been investigated only sparsely, in contrast to research on woven fabrics or biaxial non-crimp fabrics. Hence, this contribution focuses on fundamental investigations of the draping behaviour of UD-NCF. Within this investigation picture frame tests and uniaxial bias extension tests are performed to examine the in-plane shear behaviour of UD-NCF. Furthermore, a new method is presented to examine ambivalent tensile behaviour of UD-NCF transverse to the carbon fibre roving orientation. In particular, the influence of thin glass fibres on transverse tensile behaviour of UF-NCFs is investigated using a new clamping mechanism in tensile testing. Finally, hemisphere tests are performed to observe the forming behaviour of UD-NCF in a realistic forming process and to evaluate the proposed material characterisation methods regarding its suitability for UD-NCFs.