Forming behaviour of warp interlock composite

The drape behaviour of the dry textile structure is tremendously important to ensure a homogeneous distribution of tows and to control the fibre volume fraction inside a composite material. The composite forming operation into a 3D shape is directly linked to the capability of the 3D fabric to deform. Some difficulties like the inter-ply slip may occur in the thickness direction with multiple layers stacked in different planes which are partially linked by interlinking yarns. This can lead to interply slip which directly affects mechanical performance of the final composite material. Thus, the use of specific warp interlock structure both enables inter ply slip between layers of the fabric, necessary to the production, and also maintains a homogeneous distribution of fibrous material in all the directions. Different warp interlock structures have been designed, produced and tested in order to estimate the influence of mouldability on mechanical performance.