Thermal expansion coefficients of 3-D braided composites with penny-shaped microcracks

The Eshelby-Mori-Tanaka theory combined with the modified Stiffness Averaging Method has been used for considering the interaction of fibers and microcracks and predicting the effective thermal expansion coefficients of the 3-D braided composite with penny-shaped cracks. The effects of microcrack density on the thermal mechanical behavior of the material were studied. The developed method provided the theoretical basis for material designs and manufactures to improve the material behavior.