Comparison of the compression characteristics of 2D braided and circular knitted carbon/epoxy composite tubes

Two-(biaxial and triaxial) and three-dimensional braided fabric structures are generally used as structural components in various industries such as ballistic, aerospace, automotive, energy, medical, marine, construction, and sports applications. Due to the advantages of braided structures like high level of uniformity, near net-shape manufacturing, design flexibility, repairability, low manufacturing cost, and damage resistance capability, braiding process have been preferred widely in the manufacturing of composite products. This study reports the influence of the braiding angle on the compression behaviour of carbon/epoxy tubular composites manufactured based on 2D biaxial braided fabrics, and also their comparison with that of the circular knitted ones. In order to determine the effect of braiding angle, 2D biaxial braids were manufactured by using three different braiding angles (62°, 67°, and 75°). Composite tube specimens were manufactured by vacuum bagging technique and their compression tests were performed. The results imply that braided carbon/epoxy tubes could be more suitable for the cases requiring smaller deformation and higher compressive stresses when compared to the circular knitted ones.