Hoop Tow Modification for a Fabric Preform for a Composite Component

Abstract

A method of forming a fabric preform for a composite component from a fabric having a plurality of hoop tows is disclosed. One end of the fabric is received on the form such that the hoop tows of the fabric extend in a direction generally perpendicular to a central axis of the form. The fabric is wrapped around the form and at least some of the hoop tows are separated into hoop tow segments while the fabric is under a tension to enable a space to develop between ends of adjacent hoop tow segments along the length of the hoop tow. This separation of adjacent hoop tow segments accommodates increased deformation of the fabric during formation of the fabric preform while still maintaining a presence of hoop tow segments in at least portions of the fabric.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A fabric preform for a composite component formed from a tri-axial fabric having a plurality of hoop tows and a plurality of bi-axial tows, the fabric preform comprising:
 a body formed from the tri-axial fabric, the body having a central axis extending there through; and   at least one feature formed in the body in which at least some of the hoop tows in the feature are separated into hoop tow segments that are spaced from one another along the length of the hoop tow.   
     
     
         2 . The fabric preform of  claim 1  wherein the feature extends, at least in part, in a radial direction away from the central axis. 
     
     
         3 . The fabric preform of  claim 2  wherein the feature is a flange. 
     
     
         4 . The fabric preform of  claim 1  wherein the fabric preform is a precursor for a fan containment case. 
     
     
         5 . The fabric preform of  claim 1  wherein at least some of the hoop tows are not separated into hoop tow segments. 
     
     
         6 . A composite component made from a tri-axial fabric applied with resin in which the tri-axial fabric has a plurality of hoop tows and a plurality of bi-axial tows, the composite component comprising:
 a body including the tri-axial fabric, the body having a central axis extending there through; and   at least one feature formed in the body in which at least some of the hoop tows in the feature are separated into hoop tow segments that are spaced from one another along the length of the hoop tow.   
     
     
         7 . The composite component of  claim 6  wherein the feature extends, at least in part, in a radial direction away from the central axis. 
     
     
         8 . The composite component of  claim 7  wherein the feature is a flange. 
     
     
         9 . The composite component of  claim 6  wherein at least some of the hoop tows are not separated into hoop tow segments. 
     
     
         10 . The composite component of  claim 6  wherein the composite component is a fan containment case.