Simulation Supported Manufacturing of Profiled Composite Parts Using the Braiding Technique

Composite materials have brought new development and sizing possibilities for structural components in transportation systems. Their high specific material properties are enabling weight reduction while increasing structural performance. On the downside, composite materials are generally related to high material and manufacturing costs and increased characterization efforts. Through the braiding technique, profiled structures can be manufactured in a highly automated and reproducible process. Moreover, braided composites can absorb more energy compared to their unidirectional or woven counterparts ( Falzon P. J., Herszberg I., Bannister M. K., Leong K. H.: Compression and Compression-after-impact Properties of 2-D Braided Carbon/Epoxy Composites. Proceedings of the First Australasian Congress on Applied Mechanics: ACAM-96, pp. 297 (1996).).