Magnaweave Process—From Fundamentals to Applications

Abstract

Magnaweave is a process for generating multidimensional reinforcement skeletons for high performance composite shapes. The "loom" is, in essence, a movable creel, carrying individual fiber supplies for each element around and past each other in a regular fashion. The result is a braided shape, whose fibers can be oriented over a broad range to produce composites with maximum reinforcement efficiency. The composites so formed have no weak planes, as is common in other weaving reinforcements. Since delamination is impossible, the opportunity to substitute light weight composite materials for metals is extremely broad. Because it is a textile process, it may have a place in the textile industry as well.