Abstract: A structural fiber pre-form useful as a structural article when saturated with a resin which is subsequently cured is disclosed, which is comprised of a large number of tightly packed, parallel structural yarns. The yarns are held in alignment by a sewing yarn passing vertically around and between the yarns. The pre-form may be covered with a smooth covering, such as a fabric covering, which may either be sewn to the fiber pre-form in a single process, bound thereto by curing of a saturating resin, or a combination of processes.
Abstract: A structural fabric (20, 28, 40, 48) and a method for making the same is disclosed. Structural fabric (20) is comprised of a plurality of substantially parallel, uniaxial structural yarn (22) and a secondary yarn (24) for holding the structural yarns (22) in place. The structural yarns (22) are oriented at an angle skewed from both the fabric centerline (26) and a line perpendicular to the fabric centerline (26).A double biased fabric (28) is made by sewing two fabrics (20) together with secondary yarn (39). An alternate double bias fabric (40) is made by sewing together with secondary yarn (46) the two layers of a flattened helix made from structural yarn (42, 44) running spirally substantially the length of the fabric (40).A triaxial fabric (48) is made by sewing together with a secondary yarn (56) two single biased fabrics (50, 52) and a layer of longitudinally-extending structural yarn pieces (54).