Concept:
Composite manufacturing processes are tailored to specific geometries:
• Filament Winding: A process where continuous fibers wrapped in resin are wound over a rotating mandrel in a highly controlled geometric pattern. This is ideal for hollow, axisymmetrical structures like cylinders, pipes, and storage tanks.
• Injection Molding: Suited for complex geometries using short, broken fibers mixed into thermoplastic resins.
• Blow Molding: Used primarily for unreinforced, thin-walled hollow plastic containers like bottles.
Step 1: Identifying the Geometry Requirements
Pipes and tanks possess symmetrical hollow profiles that require continuous hoop and helical reinforcement wraps to withstand internal hydrostatic or pneumatic pressure. Filament winding allows the continuous fiber paths to match the exact principal stress vectors of these pressure vessels, maximizing structural performance.