Geometrical modelling of orthogonal/layer-to-layer woven interlock carbon reinforcement

Abstract

For the present work, we have studied the mesostructural geometry of orthogonal/layer-to-layer carbon–glass reinforcements woven on a conventional loom. The geometry of such woven reinforcements can be categorized in terms of crimp amplitude and cross-sectional shape of the warp and weft tows. These two vary with the structure of the woven fabric. The study was meant to characterize their geometry and study the influence of various factors on their mesostructural geometry. A geometrical modelling approach is developed and the results are compared with the geometrical parameters obtained from measurements on optical photomicrographs and the surface of the woven fabrics. It is demonstrated that the modelling approach can be used for the calculation of crimp values in 3D interlock structures.

Keywords:

• fabrics/textiles
• 3D reinforcement
• optical microscopy
• physical methods of analysis
• weaving

Notes

1. is used here to denote number of layers in an interlock reinforcement.

2. Interblock displacement is the horizontal, centre-to-centre distance between two successive vertical columns of tows.

3. Blocks refer to as the vertical columns of tows placed one over another.

4. Lenticular segment of a tow lying in weft direction is the segment that lies over the lenticular cross-section of a tow lying in warp direction and for a reinforcement woven with same tows in warp and weft directions, this segment has the same length for warp and weft tows.

5. Straight segment of a tow is the segment that connects two lenticular segments and it refers to the segment BC in Figure 6.