3-D resin transfer medium and method of use

A resin distribution system for use in resin transfer molding comprising a 3-D orthogonal fiber architecture having capillary channels therein for permitting a fluid to flow through the architecture, wherein the 3-D orthogonal fiber architecture further comprises X-, Y-, and Z-direction fiber systems, each of these fiber systems having substantially no crimp therein within a body of the architecture, thereby providing a system for distributing the fluid uniformly through the architecture.

A method for resin distribution comprising the steps of:

• providing a resin transfer medium having three-dimensional engineered fiber structure having an X-direction fiber system, a Y-direction fiber system, and a Z-direction fiber system wherein the X-, Y-, and Z-direction fiber systems are selectively, alternatingly distributed with respect to each other forming three substantially orthogonal fiber systems within the structure, and wherein the X-, Y-, and Z-direction fiber systems form a series of spaced-apart, substantially parallel channels for distributing a fluid through the channels in each of the X-, Y-, and Z-directions;
• introducing a fluid into the medium, wherein the fluid is transferred throughout the structure;
• thereby providing uniform distribution of the fluid through the medium.