Novel Weaving Technology for the Manufacture of 2D Net Shape Fabrics for Cost Effective Textile Reinforced Composites

Abstract

Abstract Despite significant weight and performance advantages over metal parts, today’s demand for fiber-reinforced polymer composites (FRPC) has been limited mainly by their huge manufacturing cost. The combination of dry textile preforms and low-cost consolidation processes such as resin transfer molding (RTM) has been appointed as a promising approach to low-cost FRPC manufacture. This paper presents an advanced weaving technique developed with the aim to establish a more cost-effective system for the manufacture of dry textile preforms for FRPC. 2D woven fabrics with integrated net shape selvedge can be obtained using the open reed weave (ORW) technology, enabling the manufacture of 2D cut patterns with firm edge, so that oversize cutting and hand trimming after molding are no longer required. The introduction of 2D woven fabrics with net shape selvedge helps to reduce material waste, cycle time and preform manufacturing cost significantly. Furthermore, higher grade of automation in preform fabrication can be achieved.