Conventional Approach on Manufacturing 3D Woven Preforms Used for Composites

The major barrier to accelerating the transition from 2D fabric lamination to integral 3D textile preforms is the high costs. Toward this end, substantial researches have been conducted. This paper reports on a conventional approach to the forming of 3D flat woven preforms in a shuttle-weaving machine. The factors in determining woven pattern design and weaving process are discussed. Twelve 3D woven samples with various fiber architectures are produced to test the feasibility of the forming techniques. The design and manufacturing method is validated by comparing the fiber volume fraction of samples between design values and testing ones. Modification details of the weaving machine are described. Some key issues, such as warp yarn arrangement and selvedge pattern design are also discussed. It is demonstrated that conventional weaving machines with minimum modifications can be employed as a potentially cost-effective mean to successfully manufacture 3D flat woven preforms.