Abstract: Thermoplastic bistable composites have promising applications in the field of space deployable structures due to their advantages of light weight, superior mechanical properties and high space utilization. The objective of the paper is to discuss the mechanical properties of GF/PP bistable composite material used for supporting rod. The basic mechanical properties of the glass fiber fabric, the tensile and bending properties of the composite material under the condition of flat plate, and the axial compression property of bistable composites under the first steady state are investigated in this paper by designing the area weight of glass fiber fabric, laying angle and curvature radius. The results show that the area weight of glass fiber fabric and laying angle have a certain effect on the tensile and bending properties of bistable composites. The composites with fabric weighing of 200 g·m^-2 or 300 g·m^-2 and laying angle of ±30° have better tensile and bending properties in axial and transverse direction. The influence factors of the compression properties of bistable composites include the area weight of glass fiber fabric, laying angle and curvature radius from strong to weak. The axial compression properties of bistable composites are superior when with fabric weighing of 300 g·m^-2, laying angle of [±30°/0°/90°/±30°] and curvature radius of 2.5 inch.

Key words: bistable, compression performance, laying angle, radius of curvature, composites