Strain-Rate-Dependent In-Plane Compressive Properties of 3D Fine Weave Pierced C/C Composite: Failure Mechanism and Constitutive Model

In-plane compression experiments are performed on 3D fine weave pierced C/C composite at a wide strain rate range of 0.0001/s–1000/s. The in-plane compressive failure mechanism of the composite at quasi-static and high strain rates is analyzed by a scanning electron microscope. The results show that the in-plane compressive modulus, maximum stress and the corresponding strain increase with increasing strain rate. The quasi-static in-plane compressive failure mode of the 3D fine weave pierced C/C composite is characterized by the shear failure at the angle of 45 ^∘ and the local buckling of the x-direction fiber bundles. In comparison, the high strain rate in-plane compression failure mode of the composite is characterized by the compressive fracture of the interlaminar matrix and the progressive compression failure of the x-direction fiber bundles. A strain-rate-dependent in-plane compressive constitutive model is proposed to predict the dynamic in-plane compressive response of the composite. The proposed constitutive model is verified by experimental data.