THE MANUFACTURE OF GLASS EPOXY COMPOSITES WITH MULTILAYER WOVEN ARCHITECTURES/

Multilayer, integrally woven preforms have been constructed from E-gla ss yam in three different weave architectures with the in-plane fibres exhibiting minimum crimping. Microscopic examination of the architect ures after resin transfer moulding revealed that the binder yam arrang ement and compaction pressure have a strong influence on the distribut ion of fibres and resin-rich areas. However, preliminary mechanical te sting indictated that, for the preforms investigated, the final weave architecture does not have a significant influence on the tensile mech anical performance of the composite structure. A procedure is describe d for producing a geometric model of the architecture of such multilay er woven preforms which may then be used for their visualisation and t o quantify geometric characteristics for use in further analysis. (C) 1998 Published by Elsevier Science Limited. All rights reserved.