Journal of Textile Research ›› 2025, Vol. 46 ›› Issue (11): 118-125.doi: 10.13475/j.fzxb.20240907101

• Textile Engineering • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Bending properties of three-dimensional deep-angle interlock aramid fabric/epoxy resin composites

XIE Yixuan, ZHONG Lin, XU Ninghao, HUANG Xiaomei, CAO Haijian()   

  1. School of Textile and Clothing, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu 226019, China
  • Received:2024-09-27 Revised:2025-08-01 Online:2025-11-15 Published:2025-11-15
  • Contact: CAO Haijian E-mail:caohaijian@ntu.edu.cn

RichHTML

17

PDF (PC)

12

Abstract:

Objective In order to reduce casualties and improve the overall protection performance of vehicles in warring areas, the protection requirements of composite materials for bullet-proof vehicles are getting higher. Aramid three-dimensional deep-angle interlock (3DDAI) and plain weave fabrics are used as reinforcement materials, and epoxy resin is used as the matrix. The influences of weft density, structure organization and laying method on bending properties of composite materials for armored vehicles are studied.
Method In order to explore the influence of fabric weft density, structure organization and laying method on the bending properties of aramid fabric/epoxy resin composites, 250 mm×250 mm aramid fabric (The warp and weft linear densities of the fabrics are both 111.1 tex is used. For the plain weave fabric, the warp and weft densities are both 10 picks/cm. For the three types of 3DDAI fabrics, the warp density is consistently 30 picks/cm, with weft densities of 30, 33, and 36 picks/cm, respectively, as the reinforcement, epoxy resin E-51 and curing agent polyether amine 230 are used as the matrix. The composite was manufactured using vacuum assisted resin infusion, and the samples under various influencing factors are tested and analyzed on the Instron 5969H universal material testing machine.
Results When the 3DDAI aramid fabric/epoxy resin composite material is subjected to bending load, the bending performance in the weft direction is superior to that in the warp direction. With the increase of weft density, the bending strength and modulus in the weft direction and the bending modulus in the warp direction of the material all show a trend of increasing first and then decreasing, while the bending strength in the warp direction shows a decreasing trend. Moreover, the bending strength in the warp direction of aramid fabric/epoxy resin composites is negatively correlated with the warp buckling degree. The bending strength and modulus in the weft direction of the three-dimensional deep angle interlock composites are better than those of the plain weave, and the bending strength and modulus in the warp direction are smaller than those of the plain structure. The bending strength in the warp direction of aramid fabric/epoxy resin composites prepared by orthogonal laying method (0°/90°/0°/90°) is 257.049 1 MPa and the bending strength in the weft direction is 242.579 0 MPa, indicating that the laying method is beneficial to maximize the potential of improving the bending properties of materials and reduce the difference in bending performance between materials in different directions.
Conclusion When the 3DDAI aramid fabric/epoxy resin composite bears the bending load, the bending properties of the sample show the longitude and latitude anisotropy, in which the bending properties in weft direction are greater than the warp direction. With the increase of weft density, the bending strength in weft direction, bending modulus in weft direction and bending modulus in the warp direction of 3DDAI composites increase first and then decrease, while the bending strength in the warp direction decreases, with the best bending properties when the warp density of the fabric is 30 picks/cm and the weft density is 33 picks/cm. The in weft direction bending properties of 3DDAI aramid fabric/epoxy resin composite are better than that of plain weave, and have better delamination resistance. The properties of aramid fabric/epoxy resin composite material by orthogonal laying method are conducive to maximize the potential of improving the bending performance of the material, while reducing the difference in bending properties between different directions of the material.

Key words: composite material, three-dimensional deep angle interlock, weft density, structural organization, laying method, bending property, aramid fabric, epoxy resin, vacuum assisted resin infusion

CLC Number: 

  • TB332

Fig.1

Schematic diagram of vacuum assisted resin infusion"

Tab.1

Specification parameters of bending test samples"

试样
编号		 铺层
数		 铺层
方式		 织物
种类		 厚度b/
mm		 含胶量/
%		 面密度/
(g·m-2)
1# 11 单向铺层 平纹A 3.60 41.74 4 531.52
2# 4 单向铺层 三维深
角联B1		 4.95 51.33 6 316.16
3# 4 单向铺层 三维深
角联B2		 4.90 49.13 6 141.28
4# 4 正交铺层 4.85 48.05 6 009.76
5# 4 对称铺层 4.90 49.16 6 165.12
6# 4 夹芯铺层 4.90 50.03 6 256.48
7# 3 单向铺层 三维深
角联B3		 3.70 46.96 4 744.32
8# 4 单向铺层 4.85 45.83 6 161.92

Fig.2

Schematic diagram of different laying methods"

Fig.3

Schematic diagram of bending test device"

Fig.4

Bending stress-strain curves of aramid/EP composites with different weft densities"

Tab.2

Bending strength of aramid/EP composites with different weft densities"

织物纬密/
(根·cm-1)		 经向 纬向
弯曲强度/
MPa		 误差值/
MPa		 弯曲强度/
MPa		 误差值/
MPa
30 206.218 9 1.360 2 325.790 3 3.500 1
33 197.922 6 2.271 2 376.814 2 4.177 6
36 160.423 0 0.260 8 344.999 4 1.481 4

Tab.3

Bending modulus of aramid/EP composites with different weft densities"

织物纬密/
(根·cm-1)		 经向 纬向
弯曲模量/
MPa		 误差值/
MPa		 弯曲模量/
MPa		 误差值/
MPa
30 5 833.605 2 334.751 8 9 875.301 1 166.614 0
33 8 053.890 4 242.804 6 17 163.931 7 253.869 9
36 6 637.609 1 80.141 5 16 524.556 9 524.923 2

Fig.5

Cross-sectional images of aramid/EP composite samples with different weft densities.(a) Sample 2#; (b) Sample 3#; (c) Sample 8#"

Tab.4

Bending strength of aramid/EP composites with different fabric structures"

织物结构 经向 纬向
弯曲强度/
MPa		 误差值/
MPa		 弯曲强度/
MPa		 误差值/
MPa
平纹 203.708 3 5.802 9 287.583 8 5.477 0
三维深角联 175.302 6 1.502 8 342.678 6 2.222 8

Tab.5

Bending modulus of aramid/EP composites with different fabric structures"

织物结构 经向 纬向
弯曲模量/
MPa		 误差值/
MPa		 弯曲模量/
MPa		 误差值/
MPa
平纹 1 1604.290 6 516.591 5 12 688.075 9 746.230 9
三维深角联 6 186.345 0 654.185 4 19 427.1395 484.141 9

Fig.6

Fracture morphology images of specimen after bending test. (a)Plain weave;(b)3-D deep angular connection"

Fig.7

Bending stress-strain curves of aramid/EP composite materials by different laying methods.(a)Warp direction; (b)Weft direction"

Tab.6

Bending strength of aramid/EP composites by different layering methods"

铺层方式 经向 纬向
弯曲强度/
MPa		 误差值/
MPa		 弯曲强度/
MPa		 误差值/
MPa
单向铺层 197.922 60 2.271 2 376.814 2 4.177 6
正交铺层 257.049 10 4.708 5 242.579 0 1.992 8
对称铺层 225.833 89 2.109 4 223.104 2 1.998 2
夹芯铺层 190.437 90 2.083 0 291.836 8 3.212 7

Fig.8

Microscopic morphologies of aramid/EP composite samples by different laying methods.(a)Unidirectional layup;(b)Orthogonal layup;(c)Symmetric layup;(d)Sandwich layup"

[1] DE OLIVEIRA BRAGA F, LOPES P H L M, OLIVEIRA M S, et al. Thickness assessment and statistical optimization of a 3-layered armor system with ceramic front and curaua fabric composite/aluminum alloy backing[J]. Composites Part B: Engineering, 2019, 166: 48-55.
doi: 10.1016/j.compositesb.2018.11.128
[2] ELFVERSSON E, HÖGLUND K. Are armed conflicts becoming more urban?[J]. Cities, 2021, 119: 103356.
doi: 10.1016/j.cities.2021.103356
[3] DRESCH A B, VENTURINI J, ARCARO S, et al. Ballistic ceramics and analysis of their mechanical properties for armour applications: a review[J]. Ceramics International, 2021, 47(7): 8743-8761.
doi: 10.1016/j.ceramint.2020.12.095
[4] WU H L, MIAO C, MU X M, et al. Study on ballistic performance of a spherical cylindrical ceramic armor structure[J]. Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 2023, 2478(7): 072010.
doi: 10.1088/1742-6596/2478/7/072010
[5] YE K C, WANG Z J. Twins enhanced mechanical properties of boron carbide[J]. Ceramics International, 2022, 48(10): 14499-14506.
doi: 10.1016/j.ceramint.2022.01.343
[6] CHAVES Y S, MONTEIRO S N, NASCIMENTO L F C, et al. Mechanical and ballistic properties of epoxy composites reinforced with babassu fibers (Attalea speciosa)[J]. Polymers, 2024, 16(7): 913.
doi: 10.3390/polym16070913
[7] LUZ F S D, GARCIA FILHO F D C, OLIVEIRA M S, et al. Composites with natural fibers and conventional materials applied in a hard armor: a comparison[J]. Polymers, 2020, 12(9): 1920.
doi: 10.3390/polym12091920
[8] JARUPONG J, SASRIMUANG S, ARTNASEAW A. Characteristics of bulletproof plate made from silkworm cocoon waste: hybrid silkworm cocoon waste-reinforced epoxy/UHMWPE composite[J]. Science and Engineering of Composite Materials, 2024, 31: 20240006.
doi: 10.1515/secm-2024-0006
[9] NURAZZI N M, ASYRAF M M, KHALINA A, et al. A review on natural fiber reinforced polymer composite for bullet proof and ballistic applications[J]. Polymers, 2021, 13(4): 646.
doi: 10.3390/polym13040646
[10] BANDARU A K, CHAVAN V V, AHMAD S, et al. Ballistic impact response of Kevlar reinforced thermoplastic composite armors[J]. International Journal of Impact Engineering, 2016, 89: 1-13.
doi: 10.1016/j.ijimpeng.2015.10.014
[11] BAO Y G, GAO X J, WU Y C, et al. Research progress of armor protection materials[J]. Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 2021, 1855(1): 012035.
doi: 10.1088/1742-6596/1855/1/012035
[12] TAN H C, LIU L L, GUAN Y P, et al. Investigation of three-dimensional braided composites subjected to steel projectile impact: experimental study and numerical simulation[J]. Thin-Walled Structures, 2019, 140: 144-156.
doi: 10.1016/j.tws.2019.03.030
[13] HU M Q, ZHANG J J, SUN B Z, et al. Finite element modeling of multiple transverse impact damage behaviors of 3-D braided composite beams at microstructure level[J]. International Journal of Mechanical Sciences, 2018, 148: 730-744.
doi: 10.1016/j.ijmecsci.2018.09.034
[14] HUANG T, WANG Y L, WANG G. Review of the mechanical properties of a 3D woven composite and its applications[J]. Polymer-Plastics Technology and Engineering, 2018, 57(8): 740-756.
doi: 10.1080/03602559.2017.1344857
[15] DAI S, CUNNINGHAM P R, MARSHALL S, et al. Influence of fibre architecture on the tensile, compressive and flexural behaviour of 3D woven composites[J]. Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing, 2015, 69: 195-207.
doi: 10.1016/j.compositesa.2014.11.012
[16] ZHENG J H, ZHONG L, CHEN H X, et al. Research on bending performance of three-dimensional deep angle interlock kevlar/EP armor material[J]. Materials, 2022, 15(15): 5321.
doi: 10.3390/ma15155321
[17] WANG M X, ZHONG L, CAO H J, et al. Research on bending and ballistic performance of three-dimensional ply-to-ply angle interlock kevlar/EP armor material[J]. Materials, 2022, 15(19): 6994.
doi: 10.3390/ma15196994
[18] MA P B, JIN L M, WU L W. Experimental and numerical comparisons of ballistic impact behaviors between 3D angle-interlock woven fabric and its reinforced composite[J]. Journal of Industrial Textiles, 2019, 48(6): 1044-1058.
doi: 10.1177/1528083718754903
[19] ABTEW M A, BOUSSU F, BRUNIAUX P, et al. Enhancing the ballistic performances of 3D warp interlock fabric through internal structure as new material for seamless female soft body armor development[J]. Applied Sciences, 2020, 10(14): 4873.
doi: 10.3390/app10144873
[20] ABTEW M A, BOUSSU F, BRUNIAUX P, et al. Fabrication and mechanical characterization of dry three-dimensional warp interlock Para-aramid woven fabrics: experimental methods toward applications in composite reinforcement and soft body armor[J]. Materials, 2020, 13(19): 4233.
doi: 10.3390/ma13194233
[21] AKIL H M, OMAR M F, MAZUKI A A M, et al. Kenaf fiber reinforced composites: a review[J]. Materials & Design, 2011, 32(8/9): 4107-4121.
doi: 10.1016/j.matdes.2011.04.008
[22] ABDUL KHALIL H P S, ISSAM A M, AHMAD SHAKRI M T, et al. Conventional agro-composites from chemically modified fibres[J]. Industrial Crops and Products, 2007, 26(3): 315-323.
doi: 10.1016/j.indcrop.2007.03.010
[23] AISYAH H A, PARIDAH M T, KHALINA A, et al. Effects of fabric counts and weave designs on the properties of laminated woven kenaf/carbon fibre reinforced epoxy hybrid composites[J]. Polymers, 2018, 10(12): 1320.
doi: 10.3390/polym10121320
[24] BANDARU A K, SACHAN Y, AHMAD S, et al. On the mechanical response of 2D plain woven and 3D angle-interlock fabrics[J]. Composites Part B: Engineering, 2017, 118: 135-148.
doi: 10.1016/j.compositesb.2017.03.011
[25] SHI J J, CHEN H X, XU N H, et al. The mechanical properties of Kevlar three-dimensional angle-interlock fabrics and composites[J]. The Journal of the Textile Institute, 2025, 116(6): 1102-1114.
doi: 10.1080/00405000.2024.2366704
[1] FEI Jingyuan, XU Naiku, XIAO Changfa. Design of water collapsible sand mandrel and its application in forming of hollow special-shaped carbon fiber composites [J]. Journal of Textile Research, 2025, 46(11): 137-146.
[2] GUO Yanwen, XIA Rui, HUANG Xiaomei, CHEN Hongxia, CAO Haijian. Influence of warp and weft tightness ratio on tensile properties of 3-D shallow angle-interlock woven composites [J]. Journal of Textile Research, 2025, 46(10): 103-110.
[3] CHEN Qingyu, LU Chunhong, ZHANG Bin, JIN Yikai, HUANG Qiwei, WANG Chao, DING Bin, YU Jianyong, WANG Xianfeng. Preparation and performance study of carbon fiber reinforced cement-based grouting material [J]. Journal of Textile Research, 2025, 46(08): 120-126.
[4] LIU Xudong, SONG Zhengji, CHEN Shichang, CHEN Wenxing. Surface properties of polyimide fiber coated with modified epoxy resin [J]. Journal of Textile Research, 2025, 46(08): 18-27.
[5] ZHANG Yi, SHEN Yin, GAO Jinxia, YU Chongwen. Aging properties of acoustic-absorbing composites from palm fiber [J]. Journal of Textile Research, 2025, 46(06): 127-134.
[6] LI Jingkang, HUANG Liang, CHEN Shishi, BI Shuguang, RAN Jianhua, TANG Jiagong. Self-healing and reprocessing performance of benzyl glycidyl ether modified epoxy vitrimer [J]. Journal of Textile Research, 2025, 46(04): 20-28.
[7] LÜ Lihua, PAN Jiaxin, WU Chenglong. Preparation and properties of sound-absorbing composites reinforced with waste corncob [J]. Journal of Textile Research, 2025, 46(04): 96-102.
[8] DING Caihong, HE Shaoxu. Design of hexagonal three-dimensional braiding technology for tubular fabrics [J]. Journal of Textile Research, 2025, 46(03): 216-224.
[9] SUN Jingyu, ZHANG Jianwei, YANG Chao, SHE Xilin, LIU Jiaqi. Research progress in sizing agent systems for continuous basalt fibers [J]. Journal of Textile Research, 2025, 46(03): 245-255.
[10] YANG Lu, MENG Jiaguang, CHEN Yuqing, ZHI Chao. Preparation and properties of humidity-responsive cellulose/polyurethane composites based on waste textiles [J]. Journal of Textile Research, 2025, 46(02): 26-34.
[11] GUO Yanwen, HUANG Xiaomei, CAO Haijian. Influence of reinforcement structure on impact resistance of three-dimensional angle interlock composites [J]. Journal of Textile Research, 2025, 46(01): 80-86.
[12] GUO Qi, WU Ning, MENG Ying, AN Da, HUANG Jianlong, CHEN Li. Process design and verification of tapered axisymmetric preform with variable thickness [J]. Journal of Textile Research, 2024, 45(12): 98-108.
[13] JIA Xiaoya, WANG Ruining, HOU Xiao, HE Caiting, LIU Jie, SUN Runjun, WANG Qiushi. Preparation and properties of multiphase shear thickening fluid reinforced flexible laminate-structured puncture-proof materials [J]. Journal of Textile Research, 2024, 45(10): 113-121.
[14] XIAO Yuan, TONG Yao, HU Cheng'an, WU Xianjun, YANG Leipeng. Preparation of all-fabric flexible piezoresistive sensors based on conductive composite coating [J]. Journal of Textile Research, 2024, 45(10): 152-160.
[15] YUE Xu, WANG Lei, SUN Fengxin, PAN Ruru, GAO Weidong. Finite element simulation of bending of plain woven fabrics based on ABAQUS [J]. Journal of Textile Research, 2024, 45(08): 165-172.
Viewed
Full text


Abstract

Cited
  Shared   
  Discussed   
No Suggested Reading articles found!
京ICP备14006648号
Copyright 2021 © Editorial office of Journal of Textile Research
Supported by Beijing Magtech Co.Ltd