The Analytical Model of Shear Properties of the Pre-impregnated Woven Fabric Composite

Abstract

The pre-impregnated woven fabric composite is the material which is used in the space inflatable structures for the state of uncured. So studying on properties of the pre-impregnated woven fabric composite is important for the space inflatable structures. The pre-impregnated woven fabric composite has its own properties which are not similar with the fabric or the fabric reinforced composite because of the existence of the uncured resin. In this paper, a picture frame analytical model is developed to account for large shear deformation and to calculate the stress and stiffness of the fabric. A mesostructure model which explains the uncured resin impede the structure to deform is also proposed. The picture frame experiment results are presented to validate this model. Results show the equation explains the properties of the material well. This paper may provide useful information for the further investigation in the characteristics of the space inflatable structures’ materials.