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Microstructural Design of Advanced Multi-Step Three-Dimensional Braided Preforms

Tsu-Wei Chou

Center for Composite Materials, and Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716

The "multi-step" braiding process is introduced as an extension to the four-step braiding process. This process greatly enlarges the possibilities of braid micro-structures. An assumed yam packing arrangement within the braided preform and geometric considerations were used to relate yam orientation to non-dimensional pitch length. Further, study of the fundamental principles of track and column braiding yielded a relationship between track/column shifting sequence and yam orientation, pitch length, and yarn diameter. Coupled via. computer software, these relationships provide a link between design parameters such as preform size, yarn diameter, and microstructure to operating parameters such as pitch length and shifting sequence. Additionally, the volume of yam in a given pitch length divided by that pitch length has been predicted. This supplies a simple method of calculating fiber volume fraction. Experimentally measured yam volume fraction and yarn orientation have shown close agreement with theoretical predictions.

Journal of Composite Materials, Vol. 28, No. 13, 1180-1201 (1994)
DOI: 10.1177/002199839402801301


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