NASA 4750 Manual

A SERVICE OF

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OVERVIEW OF TEXTILES

2-3

2.1 Textile Processes

2.1.1

Categorizations

Figure 2-2 introduces the most important groups of textile forms that are candidates

for airframes, many of which were investigated during NASA's ACT Program. The left

column (weaving, braiding, etc.) categorizes textiles according to the machines and

processes used in creating them. High-performance composite structures have been created

using all the processes listed, conventional textile machinery having been modified in many

cases to handle the high modulus fibers needed in airframes and to reduce costs through

automation.

Weaves

Braids

Stitching

2D

3D

2D

3D

Bias

Triaxial

2-Step

4-Step

Multi-Step

Angle Interlock

Orthogonal Interlock

Non-Woven

N-Directional

Plain

Satin

Triaxial

Uniweaves

Layer-to-Layer

Through-Thickness

Multi-Axial

Warp Knit

Tubular

Cartesian

Quasi-Laminar

Quasi-Laminar

in elastic regime

only

Quasi-Laminar

Nonlaminar

Nonlaminar

Quasi-laminar

Figure 2-2. Some of the textile forms available for high performance composite structures.

2.1.1.1 Dimensionality

The division into 2D and 3D composites is determined by whether the fiber preform alone

(in the absence of the matrix) can transport loads continuously in three or only two linearly