Design, Processing and Performance of Structural Preforms

Abstract

Present and future requirements for preforms in the automotive and aerospace industries are identified with respect to quality, processing, mechanical properties and economic manufacture for RTM and SRIM processes. The status of current preform technology is reviewed including textile, non-woven, continuous and chopped fiber based methods. Automotive applications are considered with an emphasis on structural parts. Key areas for development are identified and progress towards these presented as an integrated design method comprising of surface modeling, deformation analysis, flow considerations and high speed fiber placement.