Patent ID: 7118063

Claim:
A method of fabricating a matrix material, comprising providing a mandrel; winding around the mandrel a plurality of first strands each having a firs diameter and being spaced from each other by a predetermined distance; winding around the mandrel a plurality of second strands each having a second diameter different from the first diameter, at least two of said second strands fitting between adjacent first strands; winding around the mandrel a plurality of third strands having the same diameter as said first strands, said third strands being wound offset from said first strands such that said third strands are wound overlying an adjacent region of said second strands; and winding around the mandrel a plurality of fourth strands having the same diameter as said second strands, said fourth strands being wound offset from said second strands such that an adjacent region between fourth strands is wound over the center of said third strands.