In 1992, Dr. Mansour Mohamed, of North Carolina State University at the time, patented a revolutionary process of weaving aimed directly at remedying the prevailing problem inherent in most composite parts. His invention is a method for weaving fabrics at full thickness at every pick, leaving the various yarns in a perfectly straight orientation and providing integrated through thickness reinforcement. 3D, or Z, fiber reinforcement eliminates the most common composite failure mode: delamination. In turn, composites based on 3D fiber reinforcement exhibit increased fracture toughness, damage tolerance, and impact resistance. 3TEX, Dr. Mohamed’s company founded in 1996, calls this process 3WEAVE and currently offers fabrics of all thicknesses, widths, material makeup, and pattern.
Dr. Dmitir Mungalov’s patent was granted in late 2002 for his revolutionary braiding machine to match his method. Dr. Mungalov developed a method for braiding that allows for complete through thickness fabrics, ropes, tubes, and a nearly infinate number of other styles. Currently this technology is offered by 3TEX under the brand 3BRAID. Dr. Mungalov’s development allows the manufacture of pre-shaped composite preforms such as “I” beams, “H” beams, Hat-Shaped stiffiners, and fillet materials of all sizes.
Founded by Dr. Mansour Mohamed in 1996, a spinoff of NCSU College of Textiles