Braided composites are a type of composite material that is made by braiding continuous fibers around a mandrel to create a preform, which is then impregnated with a resin matrix to create a final composite part. This process is different from other composite manufacturing processes like hand layup or filament winding, which involve cutting and placing pre-cut fibers onto a mold.
The main advantage of braided composites is their ability to create more complex parts with higher fiber volume fractions and better mechanical properties. This is because the braiding process allows for more precise fiber placement and tighter weaving of the fibers, which results in a more uniform and stronger material.
However, the downside of the braiding process is that it requires specialized equipment and tooling, which can be expensive and time-consuming to set up. Additionally, the process is limited to convex shapes and hollow profiles, which means that it may not be suitable for all types of parts.
