In the field of composite materials, tufting is an experimental technology to locally reinforce continuous fibre-reinforced plastics along the z-direction, with the objective of enhancing the shear and delamination resistance of the structure.
It is a technology developed for and used within the thermoset resin injection manufacturing route, however it is currently being debated whether pre-pregs can also be successfully tufted.
[citation needed] Tufting is considered a more economical and flexible method compared to 3D weaving or 3D braiding to include z-fibres in laminated composites.
On the other hand, the increase of z-properties in the dry preform is comparably low because tufting comprises no force-fit.
In fact the loops can represent an added complexity for the resin infusion process as they can complicate the consolidation of the structure.