Multi-layer woven preforms for composite structures

The manufacture of composite structures from textile preforms impregnated using a liquid moulding process, has the potential to produce low-cost high-quality components with improved resistance to delamination. A program is under way at the Cooperative Research Centre for Aerospace Structures (CRC-AS) to develop the capability to design and manufacture such structures. This paper will concentrate on the manufacture and analysis of multilayer, integrally woven preforms made from polyester, glass and carbon fibres. The structural performance of composites made from such preforms depends upon the fibre architecture, which in turn is a function of the weave parameters and the compaction during the consolidation process. The effect of weaving design and compaction parameters on the resulting architecture for multilayer woven preforms has been examined and will be discussed in this paper. The mechanical performance of composite panels manufactured with a variety of multilayer woven preforms is currently under investigation and preliminary results will be presented in this paper. A procedure will also be briefly described for using images of preform cross sections to produce a geometric model, which may be used to visualise the architecture and to quantify geometric characteristics for use in further analysis.