The Basics of Fiberglass Fabric

A Comprehensive Guide to Fiberglass Fabric: Choosing the Right Reinforcement

Introduction

Fiberglass fabric is a versatile material used in various applications, from truck bodies and boats to aircraft, surfboards, tanks, and even wind turbines. These products are made from two essential components: resin and fiber reinforcement. The resin, a liquid that hardens into a rigid but brittle solid, gains exceptional strength from the fiber reinforcement embedded within it.

TAP Plastics offers a wide selection of fiberglass fabric reinforcements. This guide will explain the different types of reinforcement fabrics available and help you select the best one for your project.

Types of Fiberglass Fabric Reinforcement

Fiberglass fabric comes in several basic forms:

Cloth – Woven fabric available in widths ranging from 1 inch to 50 inches.
Mat – Features strands arranged in random directions for uniform strength.
Roving – Coarse weave with large bundles of strands for high-strength applications.
Knytex – A combination of short strand mat and long strand roving for enhanced durability.

When choosing a fiberglass fabric, consider four critical characteristics: weight, fiber direction, weave, and composition. Each factor plays a role in determining the fabric’s performance.

Key Characteristics of Fiberglass Fabric

1. Fabric Weight

The strength of a fiberglass product is directly related to the amount of reinforcement used. Heavier fabrics generally provide more strength.

Example: A 3.75-ounce cloth weighs 3.75 ounces per square yard, while woven roving can weigh up to 18 ounces per square yard.
TAP Plastics offers fiberglass fabrics from 3.7 ounces up to 24.9 ounces per square yard.

2. Fiber Direction

Fiber reinforcement can be categorized by strand direction:

Unidirectional Fabric – Fibers run in one direction, providing strength along that axis but weak in the perpendicular direction.
Bidirectional Fabric – Fibers run at 0° and 90°, offering strength in both directions.
Omnidirectional Fabric (Mat) – Fibers are randomly oriented, providing equal strength in all directions. Mat is often used alongside woven cloth for maximum reinforcement.

Special property: Mat fabric conforms to complex shapes, making it ideal for projects with curves and intricate details.

3. Fabric Weave

The weave pattern of the fabric affects its flexibility and how easily it conforms to shapes.

Plain Weave – Threads alternate over and under each strand, creating a strong but less flexible fabric.
Modified Twill – Threads weave over two strands and under two, providing better flexibility for curved surfaces.

Modified twill is the preferred choice for applications requiring seamless coverage over complex surfaces.

4. Fabric Composition

TAP Plastics offers fiberglass fabrics made from different materials:

E-Glass – The most common and economical fiberglass fabric, made of microscopic glass strands.
S-Glass – A chemically modified version of E-glass, offering greater strength with less weight. Ideal for high-performance surfboards and lightweight applications.
Carbon Fiber (Graphite) – Recognized by its black color, carbon fiber provides extreme rigidity with minimal weight, making it ideal for aircraft, competition sailboats, and wind turbines.
Aramid (Kevlar®) – Offers exceptional impact resistance, perfect for applications that require high durability against impact forces.

Choosing the Right Fiberglass Fabric

By selecting the proper weight, fiber direction, weave, and composition, you can achieve the best performance with minimal weight. Whether you're reinforcing a boat hull, creating a lightweight aircraft component, or building a durable surfboard, TAP Plastics has the right materials for your project.

Explore TAP Plastics’ selection of fiberglass reinforcements today and ensure your next project benefits from the highest quality materials!