Composite Reinforcement Classifications
Reinforcement Type
- Discontinuous (fibers are chopped and dispersed in matrix resin)
- Short fibers: fiber lengths 3mm or less (glass filled plastics, GF-Nylon)
- Long fibers: fiber lengths greater than 6 mm. (Some injection molded materials with 6mm fibers, Sheet Molding Compound (SMC) with 1” fibers, DFP Directed Fiber Preforms for RTM and SRIM)
- Particulates: fibers is forms as spheres, plates, ellipsoids (some injection molded materials reinforced with mineral fibers)
- Continuous (fibers are throughout structure with no break points)
- Glass roving: glass bundles are wound up in a packet similar to yarn.
- Roving is woven into several weaves using a loom machine like in apparel.
- Mat products: random swirl glass pattern.
- Woven product: roving is woven into machine direction (warp) and cross direction (weft)
- Uni product: roving is woven in one direction with a cross thread given to hold mat together.