Mechanics of textiles used as composite preforms: A review

Textiles have been used as preforms for high-performance composite materials. Fiber architecture of the preform has a decisive effect on mechanical properties of composite. As a kind of flexible reinforcement, textile preforms can deform easily in the manufacture process of complex shaped composite structures. Mechanical behavior of textile materials is specific due to their fibrous nature. The objective of this paper is to give an overview of the literatures dedicated to the mechanics of textiles used as composite preforms. Experimental test methods and mechanical models are reviewed. The experimental tests are categorized with respect to the type of load, including tension, compaction, bending, shearing and forming. Mechanical models of textile materials are classified into macro-scale continuum, discrete, semi-discrete and hybrid element models according to the scale of investigation and the numerical simulation method. The advantages and limitations of different approaches are discussed.