Views: 0 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2025-06-26 Origin: Site
Many customers are confused in the inquiries: How to choose the suitable glass fabric for the composites, hereby you can find the clarity. Selecting the right glass reinforcement depends on strength requirements, manufacturing process, cost, and application. Below is a detailed comparison and selection guide.
1. Key Differences Between Non-Woven and Thin Woven Glass Fabric
Property | Non-Woven Glass Fabric (Mat) | Thin Woven Glass Fabric |
Structure | Random fiber arrangement | Aligned fibers in a weave pattern |
Thickness Range | 0.1–0.5 mm (30–450 gsm) | 0.03–0.2 mm (50–200 gsm) |
Strength | Moderate (isotropic) | High (directional) |
Drape & Conformability | Excellent (easy to mold) | Moderate (depends on weave) |
Surface Finish | Rough | Smooth (better for visible layers) |
Cost | Lower | Higher |
Best Manufacturing Process | Hand lay-up, compression molding | Vacuum infusion, prepreg, RTM |
2. When to Choose Non-Woven Glass Fabric
✅ Best for:
Low-cost projects (e.g., DIY repairs, prototypes).
Complex shapes (better drape for curves).
Uniform thickness buildup (no weave crimp).
Electrical/thermal insulation (random fibers improve isotropic properties).
Common Non-Woven Types:
Chopped Strand Mat (CSM, 30–150 gsm) – Budget-friendly, used with polyester resin.
Continuous Strand Mat – Slightly stronger than CSM.
Veil Mat (10–30 gsm) – Ultra-thin, used for surface finishing.
Typical Applications:
Marine: Hull backing, gelcoat reinforcement.
Automotive: Interior panels, trunk liners.
Industrial: Insulation, lightweight panels.
3. When to Choose Thin Woven Glass Fabric
✅ Best for:
High-performance composites (e.g.,aerospace, racing).
Directional strength needs (e.g.,unidirectional for load-bearing parts).
Smooth surface finish (visible layers in automotive, marine).
Precision resin infusion processes (woven fabrics allow better flow).
Common Weave Types for Thin Fabrics:
Plain Weave – Balanced, good stability.
Twill Weave – Better drape than plain weave.
Satin Weave – Smoother finish, best for molds.
Unidirectional (UD) – Maximum strength in one direction.
Typical Applications:
Aerospace: UAVs, drone frames.
Automotive: Carbon/glass hybrid panels.
Electronics: PCB substrates.
4. Manufacturing Process Compatibility
Process | Non-Woven Mat | Thin Woven Fabric |
Hand Lay-Up | ✅ (Easy to handle) | ✅ (Precise placement) |
Vacuum Infusion | ❌ (Binder may clog) | ✅ (Excellent flow) |
Resin Transfer Molding (RTM) | ❌ (Unless binder-free) | ✅ (Ideal) |
Compression Molding | ✅ (Common for CSM) | ✅ (Prepreg possible) |
Filament Winding | ❌ (Not used) | ✅ (For high-strength pipes) |
Non-wovens are best for hand lay-up and compression molding.
Woven fabrics excel in infusion,prepreg, and RTM processes.
5. Hybrid Approach (Combining Both for Optimal Performance)
For cost-effective yet strong composites, use a hybrid layup:
Outer Layers: Thin woven fabric (for strength & finish).
Core Layers: Non-woven mat (for thickness & cost savings).
Example:
Boat Hull:
Outer: 200 gsm woven glass (twill weave).
Inner: 300 gsm CSM (for bulk and stiffness).
6. Quick Selection Guide
Choose Non-Woven If... | Choose Thin Woven If... |
✔ Low cost is critical | ✔ High strength needed |
✔ Complex shapes require drape | ✔ Directional reinforcement required |
✔ Insulation/lightweight needs | ✔ Smooth surface finish desired |
✔ Hand lay-up or compression molding | ✔ Vacuum infusion/prepreg used |
You need to choose the professional thin glass fabric manufacturer:
Changzhou Xingao Insulation Materials Co.,Ltd.
www.czxingao.com
Changzhou Right Composite Co.,Ltd.
www.rightcomposite.com
No.72,Sangyuan Village,Zhenglu Town,Changzhou,Jiangsu,China
Consult Your RIGHT Composite Products Experts
