A new technique of weaving 3d surface application to carbon/epoxy corner fitting plies

Mechanical properties of Composite Material are directly linked to the textile reinforcement geometry. The corner fitting part is a 3D part with 3 orthogonal plans, with a quasi isotropic in-thickness homogeneous behaviour. So, the two mains challenges for the corner fitting plies are the control of fibres’ orientation on every 3 faces and continuity of fibre between faces. It has to be true for plies with 0°/90° orientation and also with ±45° orientation. First experiments on traditional textile techniques using handmade weaving loom have been achieved. A new way of making the weaving in 3 directions has been completely design and lead to the deposit of 5 new worldwide patents. The obtained result is the design and manufacture of a specific 3D surface weaving device. Compared to the existing metal solution, the first mechanical tests showed good results and interests for that new technique. Besides, the global debriefing of this new technique defined for us a new way to consider textile preforms manufacturing for composite material design: from fibre bobbin to 3D pieces without step of 2D product.