The primary objective of this research has been to utilize fundamental fabric engineering concepts to design and create innovative multilayer woven architectures for use as composite preforms. The primary weave, sateen, was selected as the base weave for designing fabric structures differing in the maximum number of layers interlaced by an end within a repeat. The three structures designed were woven from commingled graphite/thermoplastic fibers. Resulting preforms were consolidated to form composite panels.

Panels were evaluated according to standard test procedures for tensile, compressive, compression-after-impact, and interlaminar shear behaviors. Results were examined and used to establish a relationship between fabric structure and composite performance characteristics.

Three-dimensional multilayer fabrics woven of commingled graphite/thermoplastic were found to simplify the normally time and labor intensive layup process. Additionally, the structures were found to confine impact damage to relatively small panel areas and to potentially eliminate delamination failure.

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