Calculation and Design of Parameters for Four-step 3D Braided Preform with Complex Rectangular Cross Sections

Abstract

The complex rectangular configuration refers to the geometrical shape jointed by two or more rectangles together. The calculation and design of parameters for 3D braided preform with simple rectangular cross-section are not suitable for those with complex rectangular cross-section because there are special microstructures in complex shaped preform. According to the unit cell models of 3D braided preform with complex rectangular cross-section, the method for computing the amount and volume of each unit cell is presented, the equation for calculating the fiber volume fraction is derived, and the relationships between preform parameters are developed. Based on the equations and relationships established, the procedure for designing the numbers of yarns arrangement is presented from preform dimensions, yarns linear density, fiber density, and fiber volume fraction. A preform with complex rectangular cross-section is designed and produced. The procedure for designing is supported by experimental results.

Keywords

textile composites fabrics/textiles polymer-matrix composites technics braiding.

References

Ko, F.K. (1982). Three-dimensional Fabrics for Composites - An Introduction to the Magnaweave Structure, In: Proc. ICCM-4, Japan Soc. Composite Materials, p. 1608, Tokyo, Japan.

Pastore, C.M. and Ko, F.K. (1990). Modelling of Textile Structural Composites, Part I: Processing-Science Model of Three-dimensional Braiding, J. Text. Inst., 81(4): 480-490.

Yang, J.M. , Ma, C.L. and Chou, T.W. (1986). Fiber Inclination Model of Three-Dimensional Textile Structural Composites, Journal of Composite Materials, 20(9): 472-483.

Crane, R.M. and Camponechi, E.T. (1986). Experimental and Analytical Characterization of Multidimensionally Braided Graphite/Epoxy Composites, Experimental Mechanics, 26(3): 259-266.

Li, W. , Hammad, M. and El-Shiekh, A. (1990). Structural Analysis of 3-D Braided Preforms for Composites, J. Text. Inst., 81(4): 491-514.

Du, G.W. and Ko, F.K. (1993). Unit Cell Geometry of 3-d Braided Structures, Journal of Reinforced Plastics and Composites, 12(7): 752-768.

Wang, Y.Q. and Wang, A.S.D. (1994). On the Topological Yarn Structure of 3-d Rectangular and Tubular Braided Performs, Composites Science and Technology , 51(4): 575-580.

Wang, Y.Q. and Wang, A.S.D. (1995). Microstructure/Property Relationship in Three- Dimensionally Braided Composites, Composites Science and Technology , 53(2): 213-222.

Wang, Y.Q. and Wang, A.S.D. (1995). Geometric Mapping of Yarn Structures Due to Shape Change in 3-d Braided Composites, Composites Science and Technology , 54(4): 359-370.

10.

Byun, J.H. and Chou, T.W. (1996). Process-microstructure Relationships of 2-step and 4-step Braided Composites, Composites Science and Technology , 56(3): 235-251.

11.

Zheng, X.T. and Yez, T.Q. (2003). Microstructure Analysis of 4-step Three-dimensional Braided Composite, Chinese Journal of Aeronautics, 16(3): 142-150.

12.

Chen, L. , Tao, X.M. and Choy, C.L. (1999). On the Microstructure of Three-dimensional Braided Performs, Composites Science and Technology, 59(3): 391-404.

13.

Tang, Z.X. and Postle, R. (2000). Mechanics of Three-dimensional Braided Structures for Composite Materials-Part I: Fabric Structure and Fibre Volume Fraction, Composite Structures, 49(4): 451-459.

14.

Zhang, W. , Ding, X. and Li, Y.L. (2006). Unit cell Models of 3D Braided Preform for Composites with Complex Rectangular Cross-section, In: Proceeding of ICCE-14, pp. 757-758, International Community for Composites Engineering, Boulder, USA.