Effect of Tow Alignment on the Mechanical Performance of 3D Woven Textile Composites

Three-dimensional (3D) woven preforms are currently being considered for use as primary structural components. Lack of technology to properly manufacture, characterize and predict mechanical properties, and to predict damage mechanisms leading to failure, are problems facing designers of textile composite materials. This study investigates two material systems with identical specification but different manufacturing approaches. One manufacturing approach resulted in an irregular (non-uniform) preform geometry, the other approach yielded the expected preform geometry (uniform). The objectives of this study are to compare the mechanical properties of the uniform and non-uniform angle interlock 3D weave constructions. The effect of adding layers of laminated tape to the outer surfaces of the textile preform is also examined. Damage mechanisms are investigated and test methods are evaluated