Architectural effect on mechanical properties of 3 d carbon / pps composites

In order to fabricate the three-dimensional (3D) thermoplastic composites, the automated tape placement (ATP) process and a z-fiber insertion method have been utilized. The tape placement material for the ATP was carbon/epoxy prepreg tapes of 5mm width. Pultruded carbon/epoxy rods with nominal diameter of 1mm were used for the reinforcement in the thickness direction. Twodimensional (2D) composites have also been fabricated to compare with 3D composites in terms of the mechanical properties and the low velocity impact damage tolerance. The tensile, compressive, and shear properties of 3D composites were reduced because of the decreased fiber volume fraction. However, the size of damage area of 3D samples was greatly reduced by 55%-70% due to the z-fibers. The residual strengths of 3D composites, according to compression-after-impact (CAI) tests, were less than those of 2D counterparts in general. This is due to that the smaller fiber volume fraction of 3D composites, and the local voids near the z-fibers.