Temperature effect on transverse compressive behaviors of 3D braided carbon fiber/epoxy composites

The temperature effect on transverse compressive behaviors of 3D braided carbon fiber/epoxy composites was investigated in low temperature fields (20, 0, -50, -100℃). The experiments were performed and the finite element method was adopted. The results indicate that the temperature has influence on the transverse compressive modulus, yield stress and tangent modulus of 3D braided carbon fiber/epoxy composites at different levels. The surface morphologies of 3D braided carbon fiber/epoxy composites after transverse compression are also influenced by temperature significantly. At low temperature, the surface scaly pattern of 3D braided carbon fiber/epoxy composites reduces and the yarn-matrix interfacial crack occurs. The temperature reduction gives rise to the internal thermal stress, but the thermal stress has a limited influence on the mechanical behavior and is not the main factor in temperature effect. The property variation of epoxy matrix with temperature is the main mechanism for the temperature effect on transverse compression of 3D braided carbon fiber/epoxy composites.