This typical braid construction is most often a basket weave with two yarns crossing over and under each other. Braids are commonly defined at a +/-45° orientation, but are often used at lower angles. When this sleeving is pulled over a mandrel with changing cross-sections the fiber orientation, the thickness, and the yield of the braid vary at each point along the mandrel. These variations are predictable and repeatable and, therefore lend themselves to easy and precise manufacture of composite parts.
The triaxial form involves adding a third set of yarns in the axial direction. This multi-directional braid achieves unidirectional and off-axis reinforcement within one layer.
Unidirectional fabrics are available in a non-woven form providing optimal translation of properties or in a sleeving form in which the bias yarns comprise only 3% of the reinforcement.
Near net shape, conformable, continuous, available in diameters ranging from 1/4" to 10 feet in diameter.
A&P Technology offers Zero® a non-woven, unidirectional, carbon fabric available in 4 oz./sqyd and 9 oz./sqyd. Zero® fabrics have virtually no crimp providing optimal mechanical properties. Unimax™, a conformable, unidirectional sleeving is also available.
Precise widths with continuous edges, available in a variety of widths and architectures such as biaxial, triaxial, and unidirectional.
Widths available in standard woven sizes with the added advantage of triaxial and quasi-isotropic architectures within a single layer.
A tailored braid is desirable when a constant thickness or constant angle is required within a reinforcement. A&P's braiding machinery can be programmed to vary fiber orientation on the fly enabling a constant thickness or constant angle within discreet lengths of continuous sleeving.
Exact placement of yarns on mandrels up to 100" in diameter, 15 feet in length and 2 tons in weight.