Processes

Weaving

Innegra S is a very strong fiber which is designed to be usable in most textile processes. It has a binder which makes it suitable for weaving; however, in some processes it is also necessary to twist the warp yarns with between 0.5 and 1.5 twists per inch. For 940 denier Innegra S, 0.5 tpi is suggested, while with 2800 denier Innegra, 0.75 tpi is suggested. By following these recommendations, Innegra S can be successfully processed into a large variety of weave patterns, either in fabrics containing 100% Innegra S, or in hybrids with other yarns such as carbon, glass and quartz.

Innegra S Weaving Guide

Thermoset Hybrid Composites

In its current configuration, Innegra S is suitable for thermoset composites which combine Innegra S fiber with glass, quartz, carbon, and aramid fibers.

  • Light Weight: Lightest weight is obtained when the Innegra is placed in the center of the composite, moving the stiffest components to the outside.
  • Tough: The toughest composites will have the Innegra dispersed throughout the composite as uniformly as reasonably achievable.
  • Core Materials: Additionally, Innegra S can be used as a “tie layer” with foam to increase the toughness of the composite, as in the surfboard shown on the marine composites page.
  • Wet Lay Up: Any room-temperature-cure wet lay up or spray up process will work. The fibers wet out well, and form good composites in appropriate hybrid structures.
  • Infusion: Fibers wet out well and infusion times in hybrid composites are very similar to those achieved with glass fiber.
  • Other processes: We are currently working on chopped fiber, prepreg, pultrusion and other heat-cure processes. Please either return here or contact us for more information.

Thermoplastic Composites

With a melt temperature of 160 °C, Innegra S can be made into thermoplastic composites by combining with an olefin or other film with a lower melt temperature.

  • Light Weight: By combining the extraordinarily low density of Innegra S (0.84 g/cm3) with low density films such as LDPE, very light weight composites can be made.
  • Tough: Thermoplastic composites made with Innegra S are among the toughest composites available, as is evidenced by their ballistic performance.
  • Core Materials: Using a suitable tie layer, the Innegra S thermoplastic composite can also contain a core material, creating extremely light weight and tough composite panels.