Product Nomenclature

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.