Laminate architecture effects on three-point bending performance of textile-reinforced epoxy composites

Abstract

This study investigates the influence of laminate architecture on the three-point bending behavior of textile-reinforced epoxy composites reinforced with woven glass and carbon fiber fabrics. Ten laminate configurations were manufactured, each consisting of thirteen plies arranged in angular sequences ranging from unidirectional and cross-ply to progressive multiaxial layouts. Specimens were tested according to ASTM D5023, and key parameters such as flexural modulus, energy, load, and stress at the elastic limit and at fracture were determined. The experimental data were processed using robust statistical methods based on the interquartile range (IQR) and median absolute deviation (MAD) to eliminate outliers and obtain representative mean values. Results show that carbon fiber-reinforced laminates exhibit significantly higher stiffness and load-bearing capacity than glass fiber systems. In contrast, progressive multiaxial architectures enhance energy absorption and damage tolerance, highlighting a design trade-off between stiffness and toughness. These findings confirm that ply orientation and stacking sequence are critical parameters for tailoring the flexural performance of textile-reinforced epoxy composites.