Appl Compos Mater (2014) 21:285–299 DOI 10.1007/s10443-013-9338-3 Experimental Investigation of the Strain Rate Dependent Behaviour of 2D Biaxially and Triaxially Reinforced Braided Composites R. Böhm · A. Hornig · J. Luft · M. Becker · I. Koch · B. Grüber · W. Hufenbach Received: 7 June 2013 / Accepted: 7 August 2013 / Published online: 24 August 2013 © Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2013 Abstract The performance of 2D biaxially and triaxially reinforced braided carbon fibre composites under dynamic loading is evaluated in the presented study. The accurate manufacturing of tensile specimen made of braided sleeves is explained particularly with regard to efficiency and reproducibility. In order to determine reli- able strain rate dependent properties, the high-speed testing procedure is discussed. Using five materials, the parameter identification is described and relevant material data is provided. The measured stiffnesses and strengths are used to predict the non- linear stress-strain behaviour with an earlier proposed phenomenological damage model for textile composites. The gained orthotropic property-profile provides the input parameters for a numerical analysis of braided composite components using the calibrated model. Keywords Textiles · Non-linear behaviour · Damage mechanics · Strain rate dependency 1 Introduction The growing demand for lightweight structures in automotive and aeronautic indus- try resulted in the increasing replacement of metal components by composite struc- tures since they offer a significant potential for weight reduction, design flexibility and improved specific mechanical performance. A particular interest has been shown towards braided composites because of their near net shape manufacturing R. Böhm (B ) · A. Hornig · J. Luft · I. Koch · B. Grüber · W. Hufenbach TU Dresden, Institute of Lightweight Engineering and Polymer Technology, Holbeinstraße 3, 01307 Dresden, Germany e-mail: robert.boehm1@tu-dresden.de M. Becker Leichtbau-Zentrum Sachsen GmbH, Marschnerstraße 39, 01307 Dresden, Germany