Influence of the stitching density on the transverse permeability of non-crimped new concept (NC2) multiaxial reinforcements: measurements and predictions

New manufacturing processes arise for polymer-based composites which involve resin infusion through dry pre-forms. Modelling approaches of these processes require to assess new physical characteristics of the materials. In this paper, the transverse permeability of new multiaxial stitched materials, referred to as NC2, is investigated. First, in the framework of Darcy's flows, this permeability is assessed for various biaxial NC2 using a specific device. Through this approach it is shown that the transverse permeability depends strongly on the stitching density. Then, the results from a simplified FE study carried out at the blanket scale are shown to correlate quite well the experimental measurements and evidences established in the first part.