Composite components and multi-zone fiber preforms for composite components

A preform for a composite panel comprising:

• a backing substrate;
• and
• a plurality of first continuous reinforcing fibers stitched to the backing substrate in N first zones and M second zones, where M and N are integers greater than zero,
• wherein the N first zones are arranged in C corners of the composite panel, where C is an integer greater than zero,
• wherein the plurality of first continuous reinforcing fibers in the N first zones are arranged radially relative to the C corners, and
• wherein at least one of:
• a fiber density of the plurality of first continuous reinforcing fibers in the N first zones that is less than a fiber density of the plurality of first continuous reinforcing fibers in the M second zones, and
• a stitch density of the plurality of first continuous reinforcing fibers in the N first zones that is less than a stitch density of the plurality of first continuous reinforcing fibers in the M second zones.

A composite panel comprising:

• a plurality of first continuous reinforcing fibers stitched to a backing substrate in N first zones and M second zones,
• wherein the N first zones are arranged near C corners of the composite panel and the plurality of first continuous reinforcing fibers in the N first zones are arranged radially relative to the C corners, and
• wherein at least one of:
• a fiber density of the plurality of first continuous reinforcing fibers in the N first zones that is less than a fiber density of the plurality of first continuous reinforcing fibers in the M second zones, and
• a stitch density of the plurality of first continuous reinforcing fibers in the N first zones that is less than a stitch density of plurality of first continuous reinforcing fibers in the M second zones;
• and
• resin encapsulating the backing substrate and the plurality of first continuous reinforcing fibers.