Parametric numerical ninvestigation of out-of-plane compression properties and damage mechanism of fine weave pierced C/C composites

In this study, parametric finite element models of fine weave pierced composites were established based on the statistical information to examine the impacts of various fiber volume fractions and Z-directional yarn contents on the out-of-plane compression properties. The results revealed that the out-of-plane compression properties predicted perfectly agreed with the experiments. With the decrease of fiber volume fraction and Z-direction yarn content, the slope of the stress–strain curve decreased and more significant plastic platform appeared. As the fiber volume fractions and the content of Z-directional yarn increased, the compressive strength and modulus increased. The damage analysis of finite element models revealed that the damage appeared first at the interweaving points of the warp and weft yarn and then subsequently propagated through matrix to the Z-directional yarn. As fiber volume fractions and the content of Z-directional yarns increase, the strain of final damage of composite decreases.