Several types of glass fibers are manufactured but only two are
used extensively in composites: E-glass and S-glass. E-glass
is the most widely used fiber when strength and high electrical
resistivity are required. S-glass is approximately 30% higher in
strength than E-glass and has better properties at elevated
temperatures. All the fiberglass supplied by ACP has been
finished with either a Volan A or Amino-type silane solution to
improve the compatibility of the glass fiber with the resin matrix.
The most common types of weaves are:
Fiberglass can be used in a wide variety of applications. All fiberglass fabrics offered are sized with an epoxy and polyester compatible finish to enhance wet-out. ACP offers the following selection of E glasses: (E-Glass is the most commonly used glass in the Composites Industry)
ACP's .58 Oz./Sq. Yd. woven glass is the lightest and finest available. It has superior drape and wet-out capability because it is sized with a coupling agent which provides a chemical bond between the fiberglass and various resins. It can be bonded with EZ-Lam Epoxy Resin when covering balsa sheeted wings and tail surfaces and is used to reinforce nose sections by bonding to the fuselage exterior surface.
Excellent when used as a finish surface layer on vacuum bagged wings. It has been used for F3B wings over ACP's Uni-Web Graphite Fiber to give a smooth airfoil surface and has excellent properties when used with EZ-Lam Epoxy Resin for vacuum bag applications.
The 3.1 Oz. glass cloth is a tightly woven fabric used for wing skins on larger aircraft. It is recommended for parts that have slight curvatures such as wings.
A "sofl" fabric that conforms easily to contoured surfaces and compound curves and is excellent for fuselages, cowls, and wheel pant lay ups.
A tightly woven fabric that can be used to lay up larger model wing skins. Can be used for tool lay-up.
A specialty fabric that is woven so that 70% of the fiber is positioned along the length of the fabric and 30% is woven across the fabric. It is excellent for reinforcing wing skins on large aircrafl since more fibers can be positioned along the length of the wing where more strength is desired.
An open weave fabric, highly flexible and easy to wet out. Used for large fuselages and in areas where there are compound curves.
This tightly woven fabric can be used for the most common repair applications and to reinforce wing center sections in heavily loaded applications.
A unique twill bias weave that allows the fabric to conform to compound surfaces more readily than most fabrics. If weight is not a concern, should be used to manufacture tools, cowlings and molds.
This is an excellent eight harness satin weave fabric that can conform readily to intricately contoured planes such as fuselages and nose cones. Can be used as boat or tooling cloth.
