Aerospace

FMI has been a leading supplier of textile and composite solutions for the aerospace industry for over a half-century. We have extensive experience with textile-design, textile manufacturing processes, and finished composite materials, including:

  • 2D woven fabrics including carbon, ceramic, glass, and aramid
  • 3D woven fabrics, thick billets, and preforms
  • 2D and 3D braided sleeves and preforms
  • Needle-punched nonwovens
  • Specialty yarn manufacture
  • Cord ties and rope seals
  • Stitching of composite preforms
  • Resin transfer molding
  • Polymer and ceramic matrix composites (PMCs and CMCs)

Specialty Preforms for Turbine Engine Components

Our team can help determine which materials and manufacturing methods are best suited to the goals and design challenges for both commercial and defense turbine applications. We use innovative materials and fabrication methods to develop composite solutions for a variety of turbo fan and propellor engine components, including:

  • Blades
  • Vanes
  • Platforms
  • Seals
  • Ducts
  • Acoustic Liners
  • Frames

Specialty Preforms for Aircraft Structures

In addition to the overall fit, form and function of the application, we consider each customer’s requirements and specifications for damage tolerance, part count reduction, producibility, cost and fabrication method preferences. Our range of textile options are compatible with many aircraft structural components, including:

  • Frames
  • Doors
  • Bulkheads
  • Wings
  • Spars
  • Fuselage panels

For example, we produce 2D fabrics that are used in prepreg, RTM processes, vacuum infusion, pultrusion, and thermoplastic stamp forming. Each requires different raw materials and/or manufacturing techniques that have an effect on design complexity, production method, scalability, and performance. When possible, net-shape manufacturing allows us to fabricate materials very close to the product’s final shape, which reduces material waste, overall manufacturing time, and finishing requirements.

Manufacturing Capabilities

FMI stands out for our wide variety of raw materials and textile processing methods. Our state-of-the-art facilities support prototyping and full production. We work with some of the most important fiber types used in aerospace applications. Our manufacturing processes include:

  • 2D woven fabrics (all fiber types)
  • 3D woven fabrics, panels & billets
  • 3D woven net shape preforms (small & large)
  • 2D braided preforms
  • 3D braided preforms
  • NNS braided preforms
  • Biaxial or triaxial braids
  • Yarn processing (i.e., plying, twisting, and rewinding)
  • Stretch broken yarn manufacturing
  • Needled carbon materials
  • Thru thickness stitching
  • Resin transfer molding and other out-of-autoclave techniques

At FMI, we provide custom aircraft and engine composite structures using many different raw materials, advanced composite fabrication techniques, and reliable equipment. Our team will work with you to understand your unique application and create a high-performance, durable solution for your aerospace application.

Choose FMI for Comprehensive Selection and Quality

From turbine engine components to preforms for aircraft components and unmanned aerospace vehicles. From commercial aerospace to defense. From aircraft to missile components to military vehicles, FMI offers the most comprehensive manufacturing suite of net shape preforms and finished composite structures.