This article covers an in plane experimental characterisation of a polypropylene glass fibre reinforced woven composite. Tensile, shear and compression loadings were carried out with a standard tensile rig and a crossbow/Hopkinson pressure bar rig. The specimen strain was measured by digital image correlation technique. It is concluded that the composite stiffness and strength are highly sensitive to strain rate. Static and dynamic multicycle tests were also undertaken to identify and quantify softening phenomenon. Thus, permanent plastic strain and reduction in stiffness are observed and quantified.
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