Nomenclature
Fiber Types
E = E-Glass
C = Carbon
K = Aramid
S = S-Glass
KE = Aramid/E-Glass
KC = Aramid/Carbon
KEC = Aramid/E-Glass/Carbon
Veil & Mat Backings
M = Binder Free Stitched Chopped Strand Mat
R = Polyester Veil
A = A-Glass Veil
Example
E-QXM 4008-10HS
1. E = E-Glass
2. QX = 0º/+45º/90º/-45º Quadraxial
3. M = Binder Free Stitched Chopped Strand Mat
4. 40 oz./yd^2 = (first two numbers denote weight in Glass)
5. 8 oz./ft^2 = (second two numbers denote weight in Mat)
6. 10HS = Stitch Gauge (HS denotes unbalanced reinforcement)
7. HS = denotes High Strength or additional fiber weight on 90º axis
Construction
L = 0º Longitudinal Direction
T = 90º Transverse Direction
LT = 0º/90º Biaxial
BX = +45º/-45º Biaxial or Double Bias
TLX = 0º/+45º/-45º Longitudinal Triaxial
TTX = +45º/90º/-45º Transverse Triaxial
QX = 0º/+45º/90º/-45º Quadraxial
M = Chopped mat
Specialized Weight Distribution, Yield & Alignment: (denoted after stitch gauge)
- “K” – indentifies unbalanced reinforcements in our VectorSports line of fabrics.
- “KD” – unbalanced reinforcements made with 1200 yield in the 90º.
- “P” – 45º or 90º reinforcements are aligned in a parallel orientation.
- “HS” – unbalanced quadraxial with a higher concentration of reinforcement in the 90º axis.
Stitch Gauge
(stitch rows per inch of roll width)
Vectorply® Standard Gauges
- 5
- 7
- 10
- 14
Definitions
Stitched: One or multiple layers of unidirectional reinforcement, mat, or cloth, which is stitched together with polyester thread. Sometimes called stitchbonded, stitched, or knit fabric.
Unidirectional: A single-layer reinforcement with all of the reinforcement in either the longitudinal or transverse direction (see definition for warp and weft). This reinforcement can either be knitted or heat set woven.
Biaxial: A two-layer reinforcement with two possible configurations. The first is a double bias with the reinforcement in the +45º & -45º direction. The second and most common is a 0º & 90º direction with the reinforcement in the warp and weft direction.
Longitudinal Triaxial: A three-layer reinforcement with a layer in the 0º direction and the other two layers in the +45º & -45º.
Transverse Triaxial: A three-layer reinforcement with a layer in the 90º direction and the other two layers in the +45º & -45º.
Quadraxial: A four-layer reinforcement with one layer in each of the primary directions: 0º/+45º/90º/-45º.
Combination: A reinforcement to which mat has been added either by knitting, or bonding with a heat set polyester resin. Some of the names in the market include: Promat, Biply, Fabmat, Stitchmat, and X-Mat.
Double Bias: A biaxial reinforcement where the layers lie in the +45º & -45º direction. Vectorply makes this fabric in a one step process. Other angles are possible with our state of the art manufacturing capability.
Warp: This is the lengthwise direction of any reinforcement and is sometimes referred to as the 0º axis, or longitudinal direction.
Weft: This is the widthwise direction of any reinforcement and is sometimes referred to as the 90º or transverse direction .
Courses: The number of stitches of yarn per inch in a stitched reinforcement, as measured in the longitudinal direction. This can vary from 4 to 30 and affects the drape and wet out of the reinforcement.
Stitch Yarn: The polyester yarn used to stitch the composite reinforcement together. It is possible to use other fibers, but polyester is the most practical. This thread serves to hold the reinforcement together until lamination.
Gauge: The number of stitches of yarn per inch in a stitched reinforcement, as measured in the transverse direction. Vectorply reinforcements are normally 5,7,10, & 14 gauge.
Tricot Stitch: This is the type of stitching that zigzags back and forth on the top of the reinforcement. Note that the bottom looks like a chain stitch.
Chain Stitch: This is the type of stitching which runs in a straight line down the warp directions of the reinforcement.