Joints, TPS technology, and other 3-D woven composites will be on display at booth B16.
Bally Ribbon Mills (BRM), an industry leader in the design, development, and manufacture of highly specialized engineered woven fabrics, will showcase its high-quality, high-performance products at CAMX 2025. CAMX 2025 takes place September 8–11, 2025 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. BRM experts will be on hand in booth B16. They will discuss the company’s 3-D woven joints, thermal protection systems (TPS), and other 3-D structures.
NASA Partnership
In partnership with NASA, BRM developed the 3D Orthogonally woven 3DMAT Quartz Material for the Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle (MPCV) compression pads. NASA’s efforts with BRM are a great example of NASA’s partnership with an American small business. BRM has a unique, specialized technological capability that furthers current and future exploration plans. NASA awarded BRM the 2023 NASA Government Invention of the Year for its 3DMAT Quartz Material.
3-D Continuous Weaving
BRM uses 3-D continuous weaving to create new joint structures and improve existing joints. To deliver the optimal blend of strength, durability, and structural integrity, BRM makes its 3-D woven joints available in “Pi – π,” double “T,” “H,” and other complex net shapes. 3-D woven joints from BRM lower weight and cost without sacrificing integrity and performance. Due to the nature of the 3-D weave, its strength and support translates within all 3 dimensions. Because of this, the join can reinforce the strength along the load paths of the sub-structures that join together. These 3-D woven shapes for joining can be tailored to suit the architecture of the structure itself. Similarly, they can be tailored for sub-components.
3-D Woven Components
3-D woven composites by BRM are particularly successful in aviation heat shield applications such as thermal protection systems. These systems are mission-critical components, particularly in space exploration vehicles. These 3-D woven composites reduce weight and cost. At the same time, they maintaining excellent performance in TPS systems. The ability to vary yarn types, density, thickness, and width, as well as resin type, allows BRM to create fully customizable TPS to fit each specific mission or application’s needs.
Along with TPS systems, 3-D woven components also function well as engine parts in aircraft. Replacing traditional titanium engine components with 3-D woven carbon fiber composites serves to reduce weight and therefore lifetime cost, all while meeting the rigorous demands of manufacturing and use.
By: Sarah Minhas, Bally Ribbon Mills