Strain-Rate Dependency of a Unidirectional Filament Wound Composite under Compression

This article presents the results of experimental studies concerning the dynamic deformation and failure of a unidirectional carbon fiber reinforced plastic (T700/LY113) under compression. The test samples were manufactured through the filament winding of flat plates. To establish the strain rate dependencies of the strength and elastic modulus of the material, dynamic tests were carried out using a drop tower, the Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar method, and standard static tests. The samples were loaded both along and perpendicular to the direction of the reinforcing fiber. The applicability of the obtained samples for static and dynamic tests was confirmed through finite element modeling and the high-speed imaging of the deformation and failure of samples during testing. As a result of the conducted experimental studies, static and dynamic stress-strain curves, time dependencies of deformation and the stress and strain rates of the samples during compression were obtained. Based on these results, the strain rate dependencies of the strength and elasticity modulus in the strain rate range of 0.001-600 1/s are constructed. It is shown that the strain rate significantly affects the strength and deformation characteristics of the unidirectional carbon fiber composites under compression. An increase in the strain rate by 5 orders of magnitude increased the strength and elastic modulus along the fiber direction by 42% and 50%, respectively. Perpendicular loading resulted in a strength and elastic modulus increase by 58% and 50%, respectively. The average strength along the fibers at the largest studied strain rate was about 1000 MPa. The obtained results can be used to design structural elements made of polymer composite materials operating under dynamic shock loads, as well as to build models of mechanical behavior and failure criteria of such materials, taking into account the strain rate effects.