In this work, the tensile, compressive, and flexural properties of three types of 3D woven composites were studied in three directions. To make an accurate comparison, three 3D woven composites are made to have the same fiber volume content by controlling the weaving parameters of 3D fabric. The results show that the 3D orthogonal woven composite (3DOWC) has better overall mechanical properties than those of the 3D shallow straight-joint woven composite (3DSSWC) and 3D shallow bend-joint woven composite (3DSBWC) in the warp direction, including tension, compression, and flexural strength. Interestingly their mechanical properties in the weft direction are about the same. In the through-thickness direction, however, the tensile and flexural strength of 3DOWC is about the same as 3DSBW, both higher than that of 3DSSWC. The compressive strength, on the other hand, is mainly dependent on the number of weft yarns in the through-thickness direction.
Keywords: 3D woven composite; carbon fibers; mechanical properties; through-thickness properties.