A progressive optimization of axial compression performance of 3D angle-interlock tubular woven composites through textile structure and yarn configuration innovations

Lightweight tubular composite materials with excellent compression performance are important structural components for load-bearing or energy absorption. Generally, outstanding performance depends on the structural design. Herein, a progressive structural optimization of 3D angle-interlock tubular woven reinforced composites (3DATWCs) is performed. The structural factors under consideration involve proportion of warp lining yarn, layers of weft yarn, surface constraint yarn and weft density. The axial compression performance and failure process of 3DATWCs with different structures are investigated through experiments and finite element method. The results indicate that increasing proportion of warp lining yarn can significantly improve the axial compression performance of 3DATWC. However, simply increasing proportion of warp lining yarn may decrease the straightness of yarn and constraint on warp yarns, leading to the performance reduction. The problem of performance reduction can be solved by introducing surface constraint yarn or increasing weft density. Finally, an optimization strategy is unveiled. Compared to ordinary structure, the ultimate load, plateau average load, ultimate stress, elastic modulus, total energy absorption and specific energy absorption of optimized 3DATWC increase by 101.88 %, 96.12 %, 77.46 %, 142.55 %, 119.06 %, and 77.39 %, respectively. Additionally, the axial compression performance is seriously affected by the fiber waviness, yarn waviness and interfacial properties, and can be further improved through reducing the waviness during the preparation of fabric preform.