Case Studies

The present work describes an experimental study dealing with a 3D braided carbon/epoxy composite produced by 3TEX, Inc. The experimental activities aim to obtain the mechanical properties of the material and involve quasi-static tensile and tensile-tensile fatigue tests in the longitudinal (braiding) direction.

Owens Corning conducted 2 case studies involving 3WEAVE®

The use of fillet braid to fill gaps in large FRP field joints.

The use of Uni-girder in Massive Decking for Coal Gas Bubble Jet Reactors.

4 studies were presented in a SAMPE paper:

 

  • Case Study # 1 Recreational boat hulls in the 20 – 35 foot range. The cost of the “baseline” hull made with 2D materials was $470. The 3WEAVE® hull was $435.
  • Case Study # 2 Fabricator of industrial pressure tanks made from textile composites. Replacing many layers of 2D fabric with far fewer layers of 3WEAVE® 96 oz/yd2 fabric reduced labor by 50% and cycle time from twelve to four hours.
  • Case Study # 3 High performance powerboats. After switch to infusion methods using 3WEAVE®, productivity increased by 50% and boat weights dropped 20%, while strength and stiffness increased at least 50%.
  • Case Study #4 Textile composite alternative to a corrugated steel structure for the industrial/infrastructure market. After numerous failed attempts with a variety of 2D reinforcements, it was found that only 3WEAVE® was 1) “infusion-friendly”; 2) could conform easily to the corrugated mold shape; 3) could be built up quickly to the required thickness of 8 mm; and 4) had sufficient mechanical properties to withstand rigorous performance requirements.