Experimental investigation on tensile mechanical properties of 3D six-directional braided composite

The longitudinal tensile tests have been done for the 3D six-directional braided T700/TDE86 composite. From the macroscopic view, the mechanical behaviors are investigated and some principal mechanical parameters and failure modes are obtained. The experimental results show that the braided angle is the most important parameter to affect the mechanical properties of the 3D six-directional braided composite. Tensile modulus and strength have been obviously affected by the braided angle. When the braided angle is small, stress-strain curves of tension tend to linearity and the material behaves as brittle characteristics. On the basis of tensile tests, the OLYMPUS microscope is used to observe the broken specimens and to analyze the failure mechanism of the material, from which some important conclusions are drawn. These results can provide an experimental basis for further research on prediction of stiffness and strength of the 3D six-directional braided composite.