Abstract
The preforming technique has become a key component in creating engineered composite materials with improved performance and lower prices. Textile methods, for instance, weaving, knitting, stitching, braiding, and nonwoven (NW) materials, have been used to develop and construct different dimensional preforms such as one-dimensional (1D), two-dimensional (2D), three-dimensional (3D), as well as high-loft complicated structures, either alone or in combination. NWs are one of the quickest-expanding segments of the textile industry, accounting for around one-third of the total fiber market. NW structures are generally defined as a network structure of fabrics made directly from the fiber web by chemical, thermal, mechanical techniques, or a mix of these approaches. Raw materials of NW can be natural, regenerated, and synthetic fiber. Although most of the composites are made with synthetic fibers, natural fibers are commonly employed in creating NW textiles to replace manmade fibers because of environmental concerns. This chapter discusses the fabrication process of 2D and high-loft nonwoven preforms (NWPs) from natural fibers for composite reinforcements. NW felted and bonded methods are discussed with the best possibilities in composite manufacturing techniques. Classification of textile preforms and suitable manufacturing techniques of NW composites are presented. Different NWPs can be prepared with the combination of a variety of processes or with traditional textile structures. A road map of the combination with its advantages and limitations is discussed from a broader perspective. Areas of application are also discussed at the end. Finally, this chapter highlights the prospects of NW natural fiber preforms for composites of NW materials.