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preform
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preform

materials science
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Quick Summary

A preform is an object that has undergone preliminary shaping but is not yet in its final form. This can refer to a rough gemstone cut to near its finished size or a tube shaped for further molding, such as into a bottle.1

In materials science, particularly with composite materials, a preform can also be a structure made by braiding, weaving, or knitting fibers together in a specific design. This textile preform is then used in processes like resin transfer molding, where it's placed in a mold and injected with resin to create a finished part. These preforms allow for tailored reinforcement in specific areas and load directions within the composite material.2

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
2 Britannica Sources
  1. preform
  2. materials science - Polymer-matrix composites

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