Polymeric composite reinforced by non‐crimp fabric: Effects of anisotropy and configuration on tensile and compressive behaviors

Glass fiber‐reinforced plastics offer a wide range of application possibilities, especially regarding the use of new reinforcement configurations developed by the industry worldwide. Concerning these reinforcing materials, highlights are given to high performance fabrics such as hybrid and non‐crimp fabrics (NCFs). However, the study of the mechanical behavior of composite laminates based on this type of reinforcement finds itself difficult due to the effects of hybridization (different forms of coupled fabrics), as well as anisotropy (influence of the orientation of the fibers relative to the loading direction) present in these fabrics. In this sense, this work aims to develop a composite laminate reinforced by four layers of multiaxial E‐glass fiber NCF using epoxy vinyl ester resin commercially named Derakane Momentum 411–350 as matrix. The main objective is to analyze its strength and stiffness from the perspective of the effects of loading type (tensile and compressive tests), laminate configuration (stacking sequence), and anisotropy (orientation of the fibers/loading direction). Comparative studies were developed, in addition to macroscopic characterization of the mechanical fracture according to ASTM standards. The results showed that the laminate configuration have different influences, depending on the loading type (tensile or compressive loading). In terms of anisotropy, the test specimens aligned at ±45° presented a great reduction in the mechanical properties, both in tensile and compressive loading. Also, in comparison with the literature, it is observed that the LNCF laminate presented similar or higher mechanical behavior, validating the results obtained in this work. POLYM. COMPOS., 40:2231–2243, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers