Specify the fibre and yarn
Technical fabrics require a defined reinforcement material and yarn specification. Carbon, glass and aramid fibres are different materials. A hybrid structure must explicitly describe their combination.
MANUFACTURING · WOVEN MATERIALS
WOVEN MATERIALS
Reinforcement fabric is selected for a particular shape and manufacturing method. Fibre type, weave and areal weight address different aspects of that choice.
Discuss woven materialsHow the process works
01 / YOUR PROJECT
What to specify before ordering
For carbon, glass, aramid or hybrid fabric, describe the next operation: impregnation, cutting and layup. An attractive surface pattern may be a requirement, but it does not replace process specifications.
- Reinforcement
- Fibre type, yarn designation or reference to an agreed specification.
- Weave
- The required structure or a description of the shape over which the fabric will be laid.
- Areal weight
- Mass per unit area and permitted deviations, where specified.
- Size
- Fabric width, required quantity and cutting restrictions.
02 / PROCESS
From yarn to woven reinforcement
This overview explains the general principle of weaving. Composition, specification and available format are confirmed when selecting a material.
Set the weave structure
Longitudinal warp yarns interlace with transverse weft yarns. Plain, twill and satin have different interlacing patterns. These affect draping over a shape and the stability of the pattern.
Produce the required areal weight
Areal weight is the mass per unit area of fabric. It is considered together with yarn type and weave. Equal areal weight does not mean that two fabrics drape in the same way over a complex surface.
Inspect and prepare for supply
Specify fabric width, quantity and requirements. If the finished surface will be visible, define appearance criteria in advance. Check handling and further processing requirements against the selected fabric's documentation.
Consider the shape of the finished product
A flat panel and a contoured surface require different draping behaviour. Show the shape, radii and areas where the pattern must retain its direction. If a fabric has already been used in your process, provide its designation and list the changes required. This is more precise than selecting a replacement from a photograph.
Hexcel: woven reinforcements03 / QUESTIONS
Questions about this material
Does the fabric already contain resin?
This section covers woven reinforcement materials. Pre-impregnated reinforcement is considered separately as prepreg. Specify whether you need dry material or a prepared resin system.
Can the weave change without changing the product?
A substitution requires an assessment of layup, appearance and design requirements. First explain why a different fabric is needed: availability, draping, pattern or another parameter. A suitable alternative can then be discussed.
04 / ENQUIRY
Prepare your project details
Specify fibre, weave, areal weight, width and quantity. Add the product shape, processing method and requirements for the visible face.
Submit your project