Some recent advances in the fabrication and design of three-dimensional textile preforms: a review

• Published in: Composites science and technology Vol. 60; no. 1; pp. 33 - 47
• Main Authors: Kamiya, Ryuta, Cheeseman, Bryan A, Popper, Peter, Chou, Tsu-Wei
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 2000; Elsevier
• Subjects: A. Textile composites; Applied sciences; B. Thermomechanical properties; E. Braiding; E. Knitting; Exact sciences and technology; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; Laminates; Polymer industry, paints, wood; Technology of polymers; Weaving; E. Braiding; Weaving; E. Knitting; B. Thermomechanical properties; A. Textile composites; Laminate; Tridirectional fiber material; Fiber reinforced material; Temperature effect; Mechanical properties; Polymer; Review; Fabrication property relation; Composite material; Fiber orientation; Fabrication structure relation; Woven material; Braided fabric
• ISSN: 0266-3538; 1879-1050
• DOI: 10.1016/S0266-3538(99)00093-7

The design of textile composites requires a systematic approach that integrates microstructural design, preform fabrication and composite processing to produce load-bearing structural components with desired fiber architectures and mechanical properties. At the present time, an established integrated approach has yet to be realized; however, towards this end, a substantial body of research has been conducted. The purpose of this review is to detail the progress made toward realizing an integrated approach in the design and manufacture of three-dimensional textile preforms. The survey begins by identifying the recent advances in textile manufacturing with particular attention paid to new developments in multi-axial weaving, multi-axial warp knitting, stitching and braiding along with their potential advantages and limitations. A summary of the various preform manufacturing techniques corresponding to the basic load-bearing structural elements is then given. Additionally, limited examples demonstrating the geometric constraints inherent with these techniques and their associated process windows are discussed. Finally, a brief mention of some of the analytical models developed to predict the thermoelastic properties of three-dimensional textile composites is made.