Three-dimensional (3D) woven composite materials from high performance fibers, such as glass and carbon, have been used for automotive applications in a limited way due to the low production rate and the lack of research and development. Recently a process of manufacturing thick 3D orthogonal woven composites was developed. The process is capable of weaving thick (up to 1 inch) preforms from practically any fiber. The 3D woven preforms are conformable and can be easily molded to complex shapes and made into high performance composite materials. This capability opens numerous commercial opportunities for this specialized branch of the textile industry for automotive, marine, defense, industrial, aerospace, wind energy generator, recreational applications and other markets. The objective of this research is to evaluate the replacement of heavy metal parts, specifically vehicle body panels, with lightweight 3D orthogonal woven composites made from glass fiber. In particular, the research examines the performance characteristics of lighter and stronger composites with the aim to improve fuel efficiency by reducing the total vehicle weight while maintaining safety standards. The performance characteristics of the 3D woven fabric composite are related to different construction parameters. Vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) technology is used to solidify the 3D composites. The tested properties include: tensile strength, elongation, flexural strength, impact performance, heat deteriorate temperature, and volume fraction, which is a function of areal weight, fiber density, and thickness. The recognized benefits of this research include: reduced weight of automotive parts, improved fuel efficiency, reduced cost, decreased emissions, decreased processing time, increased quality and corrosion resistance.


    Access

    Access via TIB

    Check availability in my library

    Order at Subito €


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Three-dimensional woven composites for automotive applications


    Contributors:


    Publication date :

    2008


    Size :

    8 Seiten, 6 Bilder, 10 Quellen



    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    Print


    Language :

    English




    Evaluation of woven fabric composites for automotive applications

    Taggart, D.G. / Schwan, F.J. | Tema Archive | 1987


    NON-WOVEN POROUS THREE-DIMENSIONAL MATRIX STRUCTURE FOR VEHICLE APPLICATIONS

    HASCHER LORI / HIGBY JR / CLAYTOR ROBINSON CAMDEN PERKINS et al. | European Patent Office | 2024

    Free access

    NON-WOVEN POROUS THREE-DIMENSIONAL MATRIX STRUCTURE FOR VEHICLE APPLICATIONS

    HASCHER LORI CURTISS / HIGBY JR LAWRENCE ARTHUR / CLAYTOR ROBINSON CAMDEN PERKINS et al. | European Patent Office | 2025

    Free access

    NON-WOVEN POROUS THREE-DIMENSIONAL MATRIX STRUCTURE FOR VEHICLE APPLICATIONS

    HASCHER LORI / HIGBY JR LAWRENCE ARTHUR / CLAYTOR ROBINSON CAMDEN PERKINS et al. | European Patent Office | 2023

    Free access

    3D Woven Composites for Energy Absorption Applications

    Goering, Jon / Bayraktar, Harun | British Library Conference Proceedings | 2016