Multi-material braids for multifunctional laminates: conductive through-thickness reinforcement

Abstract Conventional carbon fibre laminates are known to be moderately electrically conductive in-plane, but have a poor through-thickness conductivity. This poses problem for functionality aspects that of increasing importance industry, such as sensing, current collection, inductive/resistive heating, electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding, etc. restriction is course more pronounced non-conductive composite reinforcements glass, organic or natural fibres. Among various solutions boost electrical conductivity, tufting with hybrid micro-braided metal-carbon yarns one the most promising. As well-characterised method through thickness reinforcement, easily implementable in manufacturing environment. The hybridisation materials braid promotes resilience and integrity yarns, while integrating metal wires opens up wide range multifunctional applications. Many configurations can produced by varying patterns constituting yarns/wires. A predictive design tool therefore necessary select right material configuration desired functional structural performance. paper suggests fast robust generating finite-element models braids, validates prediction micro-architecture demonstrates successful composites enhanced braided tufts.