Mechanical behaviors of four‐step 1 × 1 braided carbon/epoxy three‐dimensional composite tubes under axial compression loading

This article focuses on the quasistatic axial compression behavior and the consequent energy absorption of three different types of carbon/epoxy braided composite tubes. The focus is to evaluate the effect of sample length and braiding angle on the energy absorption and failure mechanism of the braided composite tubes. All tubes were manufactured with carbon fiber through four‐step 1 × 1 braiding process and epoxy resin. Quasistatic axial compression tests were carried out to comprehend the failure mechanism and the corresponding compressive load–displacement characteristics of each braided composite tube. The quasistatic compression test parameters such as the compression peak load and the energy absorption of all these composite tubes were compared. It was found that as the length of the sample increased, the peak load reduced and the energy absorption of the braided tubes at 45° braiding angle was considerably higher than that of other braiding angles of 25° and 35°. The failure modes included matrix crack along the braiding angle, fiber breakage, bulging and debonding between yarns. POLYM. COMPOS., 37:3210–3218, 2016. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers