The design and manufacture of advanced 3D woven hybrid composite materials

This paper describes a feasibility study to assess the viability and potential benefit of 3D woven textile reinforcements with metallic yarns integrated into the structure. It reports the results from a study of the manufacture and mechanical testing of hybrid 3D woven composite materials. The hybrid structures were manufactured using carbon fibre and aluminium wire, and subsequently impregnated with a two-part aerospace resin system. Details are given concerning the manufacturing issues with hybrid materials, and the results from mechanical testing of the first of these novel hybrid structures are examined. In addition there is a discussion of possible future developments in this area.