Structural analysis of three-dimensional braids

This paper describes a study of three-dimensional braids produced by a four-step 1×1 method. An analytical approach is employed in conjunction with experimental investigations to establish the relationship between the braid structure and braiding parameters. Based on microscopic observations, we divide a three-dimensional braid structure into three representative regions, i.e., the interior, surface and corner, and treat the three regions, respectively. Three types of microstructural unit-cell models are then established. The surface characteristics and the relationship between the interior and surface unit-cells have been derived. Good agreement has been obtained between the calculated and measured values of fiber volume fraction of the braided composite samples.