High strain rate tensile behavior of woven fabric E-glass/epoxy composite

High strain rate tensile behavior is presented along thickness, warp and fill directions for a typical plain weave fabric E-glass/epoxy composite. Studies were carried out on tensile Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar (SHPB) apparatus in the strain rate range of 140-400/s. For comparison, quasi-static properties were also generated on a universal testing machine. An increase of 75-93% was observed in through the thickness high strain rate tensile strength compared with quasi-static tensile strength. In the range of strain rate considered, as the strain rate was increased, the tensile strength increased up to 11% along the thickness direction. An increase of 63-88% was observed in high strain rate tensile strength along the fill compared with quasi-static tensile strength. In the range of strain rate considered, as the strain rate was increased, the tensile strength increased up to 16% along the fill direction. Since the plain weave fabric used was balanced, the properties along warp and fill are nearly identical. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.