The Role of Bias Extension Testing to Guide Forming of Non-Crimp Fabrics

The increased production rate targets of the aerospace industry has driven development dry fibre processes and biaxial Non-Crimp Fabrics (NCFs). Understanding forming behaviour NCFs at scale is key to achieving high quality parts rates. bias extension test commonly used characterise shear fabrics, for example as input drape models. In industry, it still often a standalone material selection tool part initial processes. It however well known that boundary conditions this are not representative full-scale trials. A direct comparison with wrinkles observed during experiment carried out show overpredicts wrinkle height. Overall, considered unsuitable on its own predicting preform in an NCF process where excess length generated due geometry. If be ranking tool, height data should captured alongside force data, shown study.