X-ray μcT based assessment of thermal cycling induced cracks in non-crimp 3D orthogonal woven composite materials with porosity

This work focuses on X-ray micro-Computed Tomography (μCT) assessment of thermal cycling behavior of a carbon fiber/epoxy matrix composite material reinforced with a non-crimp 3D orthogonal woven preform (3DNCOW) with porosity. Porosity levels and damage mechanisms - i.e. matrix cracking - induced by thermal cycling are characterized by X-ray micro-computed-tomography (μCT). Qualitative and quantitative descriptions of the morphology and the evolution of cracks with thermal cycling are carried out through the analysis of μCT scans of samples at different cycle numbers, with emphasis on the influence of porosity on the damage mechanisms induced by thermal cycling. X-ray μCT image-based Finite Element models are employed to provide rational interpretation to the observed phenomenological scenario.