Manufacture and testing of composite T-joint fabricated via RTM process based on NCF technology

The non-crimp fabrics (NCF) were used as reinforcement to improve the drape efficiency and accuracy. According to the structural characteristics of the T-joint, an I-beam composed of four T-joints was manufactured via resin transfer moulding (RTM) process. The tensile and compressive properties of T-joint were tested. The results show that the tensile failure of T-joint can be reckoned to the fiber broken of skin around the holes and the delamination of web. While the compressive failure is resulted from the buckling of flange and fiber snap of skin at the middle of T-joint. The failure load of T-joint tension is greater than those of compression.