Glass fabric 49 g/m² (Finish FE 800, plain weave), width 127 cm

International Style 1080 (formerly Interglas 02037) with FE 800 finish is a fine E-glass fabric in plain weave. The 127 cm wide version is particularly suitable for larger component surfaces that are to be covered as continuously as possible with a lightweight glass-fibre ply.

Benefits of the Fabric

International Style 1080 combines a low areal weight of 49 g/m² with a higher fibre contribution per ply than very lightweight glass fabrics. This makes it suitable for thin surface reinforcement and facing plies where weight and laminate thickness need to remain low while a somewhat greater glass-fibre reinforcement per ply is required.

The fine plain-weave construction provides a uniform fabric structure. With 23.7 ends/cm in the warp direction and 18.5 picks/cm in the weft direction, the fabric has different thread counts in its two principal directions.

The numerous yarn interlacings provide the plain weave with good resistance to yarn displacement. This helps minimise distortion during cutting and positioning.

Applications

The 49 g/m² fabric is suitable for lightweight surface reinforcement, coverings and facing plies as well as thin GFRP laminates. The 127 cm version is particularly useful for larger surfaces where the number of fabric joints should be kept to a minimum.

Typical applications:

• Large-area reinforcement and covering of wood and veneer surfaces
• Wide wings and lightweight components in model aircraft construction
• Facing plies for honeycomb and sandwich structures
• Thin surface plies in GFRP laminates
• Lightweight technical composite components
• Printed circuit boards and technical laminates

Suitable Resin Systems

The fabric can be processed with suitable epoxy, polyester and vinyl ester resin systems. Low-viscosity laminating resins are particularly suitable for achieving uniform wet-out of the fine fabric.

Epoxy resin systems are commonly used for wood and veneer reinforcement as well as more demanding lightweight composite structures, particularly where good adhesion to the substrate and high mechanical properties are required.

Calculated Data for Hand Lay-Up Laminates with 35 Vol.-% Fibre Content

Benefits of the 127 cm Width

The 127 cm working width is particularly advantageous for larger wings, sandwich panels and wide wood or veneer surfaces. Components within the available fabric width can be covered without an additional longitudinal joint.

Fewer joints and overlaps make it easier to achieve a uniform laminate build-up and reduce local material accumulation. This is particularly useful for thin surface and facing plies where a consistent laminate thickness is required.

For larger surfaces, the 127 cm version therefore provides an efficient working width. For narrower components, the 110 cm version may offer advantages in handling and material utilisation.

Technical Notes

Handling
The dry fabric should be cut carefully and positioned with as little distortion as possible. The good resistance to yarn displacement provided by the plain-weave construction helps maintain fabric stability during cutting and lay-up.

Resin Application
Apply the resin uniformly and sparingly. Excess resin increases laminate weight and thickness without increasing the fibre content or the fibre-related reinforcing contribution.

Large-Area Surface Reinforcement
For suitably sized components, the 127 cm width allows continuous coverage without a longitudinal joint. This is particularly advantageous for larger wings, wood and veneer surfaces and thin sandwich facing plies.

Sandwich Structures
The fabric can be used for lightweight facing plies in sandwich structures. The required facing lay-up depends on the core material, component geometry and mechanical loading and cannot be determined from the fabric areal weight alone.

Plain Weave
The high number of yarn interlacings gives the plain weave good resistance to yarn displacement and facilitates distortion-free cutting and handling. For strongly three-dimensional component geometries, twill or satin weave fabrics generally provide better drapability.