Page 147 - 3D Fibre Reinforced Polymer Composites

136 30 Fibre Reinforced Polymer Composites

3D woven sandwich composite is a new class of material, and much remains unknown
about its mechanical performance. Research at the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven has
shown that the mechanical properties are strongly influenced by the areal density,
length, angle and degree of stretching of the pile yams, although generally properties
such as compressive strength, shear strength and fatigue endurance are similar to those
of conventional honeycomb materials (Judawisastra et al., 1989, Preller et al., 1990,
Van Vuure et al., 1994). The key advantages of 3D woven sandwich composite is an
exceptionally high delamination resistance - with a skin peel strength up to four times
higher than conventional sandwich materials - and good impact damage resistance due
to the integral nature of the 3D fibre structure (Preller et al., 1990, Van Vuure et al.,
1994). It is reported by Verpoest and colleagues that 3D sandwich composites are used
in a wide range of applications including hard-tops for cars, radar domes, mobile
homes, a small aircraft, and furniture and interior wall panels for fast ferries.