Thick 3D Woven Composites as a Standard Material:Manufacturing, Properties and Applications

摘要

Carbon fiber composites that can be used in design like metals (a.k.a. “Black Aluminum”), havernlong been a subject of wishful thinking. Many designers/manufacturers would like to userncarbon/epoxy composites, but do not have the manufacturing expertise nor the needed facilitiesrn(RTM, VARTM or other closed molding equipment; chemical storage; molds; ovens; etc.) Thisrnpaper will present the concept of using 3D woven composite materials as “standard” engineeringrnmaterials, ready for machining and application. Not having the well-documented weaknesses ofrntraditional advanced laminates, thick (5– 25 mm) 3D woven composites will not delaminate, andrncan be designed and machined in a fashion similar to metals. These materials are made fromrnsingle-layer one-piece 3D woven fibrous preforms, and then consolidated into a composite byrnVARTM. Composites were made with 3D woven carbon preforms and two commonly usedrnresins; one vinyl ester and one epoxy. Tensile, compression, SBS and flexure date are presented.rnApplications/markets include after market as well as OEM components in areas such asrnPerformance Auto/Cycle, Performance Marine, Sports and Recreation Equipment, IndustrialrnMachine Manufacturing and other custom CNC fabricators. Several specific examplernapplications are discussed.