Is This Crappy Fabric?

Both fabrics are from Composite Envisions. The one on the left looks like a window screen. A lot of resin is going in there. How common is it to find weaves this loose? I mean the cloth was cheap at $18/yd considering it is IM7, but I guess you get what you pay for.
Cloth on the right was $26/yd.

Fabric on the Left:
Weave 4 Harness Satin
Ends Per Inch 12
Pics Per Inch 12
Yarn Size Warp 6k Yarn Size Weft 6k Tow Size 6k
Weight 6oz / 203.44gsm
Hexcel IM7

Fabric on the Right:
Weave 2x2 Twill
Ends Per Inch 10.5
Pics Per Inch 10.5
Yarn Size Warp 12k
Yarn Size Weft 12k
Tow Size 12k
Weight 10.94oz / 371gsm
Hexcel IM2-C

Harness weaves are typically quite loose, drape being the ultimate goal.

It’s all relative though. To be honest, the one on the right is loosely woven compared to the 240gsm twill that I’ve got here. But I’ve got a 400 twill that is much looser than your harness.

Thanks Hanaldo. I understand the drapability aspect, but I was thinking that this weave was awful loose. You are just not going to get any strength/stiffness from a cloth like this. I guess it is best saved for cosmetic parts with hard contours.

Another question. Is it normal for uni to curl up really hard? I have been using this IM7 uni from CE, and my biggest gripe is that it keeps rolling up on me, and it really rolls up with some force. It has a fine stitch holding it together. It is a pain in the arse to work with due to this aspect.

rolling up is normal , just re-loll it opposite on another roll ind its flat

Thanks. I have been using a little spray adhesive to make it stay. It is still a pain.

I am curious now as to what causes the fibers to roll so hard.

Total pain right? Even the prepreg uni I have does this… Don’t know why… super super annoying

It’s neither good or bad. It’s just the weave you ordered. All cf weaves, fabric weights and densities etc have specific properties. You just need to research them before you buy and choose the one with properties that are right for your project.

You can make strong parts from any weave if you use enough layers, orient each layer properly, design the part well, follow the right post cure schedule etc.

I typically find fabrics that I like for certain purposes as I test them over time. The number one problem that prompts me to start testing alternatives is usually drapability issues on complex parts. I notice a huge difference between the various weaves, weights and densities. The lay up is a stressful nightmare if I choose the wrong fabric.

I have had materials with far bigger gaps between threads than the one in the pic and they still produced very stiff parts. Stiffer than some of the 2x2 twill fabrics I have used. The main issue I had with them was the aesthetics. I don’t use them for cosmetic parts. They were fine for adding bulk though.

Once you add a few layers, you won’t be able to see gaps in the part. They just cure with larger squares in the weave pattern.

Lower density fabrics are often cheaper which makes them more suitable for things like home repair. I bought fabric like the one in the pic once from someone selling it as wall and pipe repair kits. If I remember correctly, I cut it up to make chopped strands for some diy sheet molding compound.

Btw, I have used this non-woven uni from ACP before and it was straight as an arrow:

https://store.acpsales.com/products/2382/carbon-fiber-uni-web-unidirectional-fiber

No curling at all.

This particular product is designed to give people perfectly straight edges in uncured cf fabric, something most people find impossible to cut in regular cf.

I have no idea if it would be a good choice for your project. I can’t honestly say I ever found any good uses for this fabric with what I do. If you are making some flat parts, I could see it being super easy to work with though.

I’m sure the curling of the uni will be down to the tension of the fibres as they are stitched. A lot of uni fabrics are manufactured under quite high tension, which makes the resulting laminates stronger but I could see it causing issues like this as well.

It’s only really a problem if the curling makes it unmanageable when you start the lay-up.

I could actually see it being a small advantage if you were using it to role-wrap a tube. That’s one of the few things I would use uni fabric for…

Haha yeh it would be great for roll wrapping! Not so great for anything else though… The only thing I really use uni for is front diffusers for motorsport, so curling would not be appreciated!

its the binder … its applied to heavy and its gone stiff

i have a very simlar 300 gsm UD fabric and it lays perfectly flat , an abosolute pleasure to work with