Abstract: A method that includes winding a composite fabric around a mandrel to form a plurality of layers defining an annulus extending along a central longitudinal axis, where the composite fabric includes a plurality of elongate axial fibers extending substantially in an axial direction relative to the longitudinal axis and a plurality of elongate circumferential fibers extending substantially in a circumferential direction relative to the longitudinal axis; and introducing, into at least a portion of the plurality of layers, a plurality of radial fibers extending substantially in the radial direction relative to the longitudinal axis, where the plurality of radial fibers mechanically bind one or more adjacent layers of the plurality of layers.

Abstract: In some examples, a brake system includes a piston configured to cause a compression of a disc stack. The piston includes a piston body configured to compress a cap face of a piston cap against a pressure plate to cause the compression of the disc stack. The cap face may define a convex surface. The piston cap may be configured such that the convex surface reduces it curvature when the cap face is compressed against the pressure plate. In examples, the piston cap is configured to elastically deform to cause the cap face to reduce the curvature when the cap face is compressed against the pressure plate.

Abstract: In some examples, a brake system includes a piston configured to cause a compression of a disc stack. The piston includes a piston body configured to compress a cap face of a piston cap against a pressure plate to cause the compression of the disc stack. The cap face may define a convex surface. The piston cap may be configured such that the convex surface reduces it curvature when the cap face is compressed against the pressure plate. In examples, the piston cap is configured to elastically deform to cause the cap face to reduce the curvature when the cap face is compressed against the pressure plate.

Abstract: A fiber preform defining an annulus extending along a central longitudinal axis. The fiber preform includes a plurality of layers extending in an axial direction and a circumferential direction relative to the longitudinal axis. Each layer of the plurality of layers includes a plurality of elongate fibers. The plurality of elongate fibers include a plurality of elongate axial fibers extending substantially in the axial direction and a plurality of elongate circumferential fibers extending substantially in the circumferential direction. The fiber preform also includes a plurality of radial fibers extending substantially in the radial direction. The plurality of radial fibers mechanically bind one or more adjacent layers of the plurality of layers. At least 40% of the plurality of elongate fibers extend substantially in the axial direction.

Abstract: A fiber preform defining an annulus extending along a central longitudinal axis. The fiber preform includes a plurality of layers extending in an axial direction and a circumferential direction relative to the longitudinal axis. Each layer of the plurality of layers includes a plurality of elongate fibers. The plurality of elongate fibers include a plurality of elongate axial fibers extending substantially in the axial direction and a plurality of elongate circumferential fibers extending substantially in the circumferential direction. The fiber preform also includes a plurality of radial fibers extending substantially in the radial direction. The plurality of radial fibers mechanically bind one or more adjacent layers of the plurality of layers. At least 40% of the plurality of elongate fibers extend substantially in the axial direction.

Abstract: A method that includes winding a composite fabric around a mandrel to form a plurality of layers defining an annulus extending along a central longitudinal axis, where the composite fabric includes a plurality of elongate axial fibers extending substantially in an axial direction relative to the longitudinal axis and a plurality of elongate circumferential fibers extending substantially in a circumferential direction relative to the longitudinal axis; and introducing, into at least a portion of the plurality of layers, a plurality of radial fibers extending substantially in the radial direction relative to the longitudinal axis, where the plurality of radial fibers mechanically bind one or more adjacent layers of the plurality of layers.