Carbon fiber is a $3.3 billion industry that is projected to top $7 billion by 2032. It is a popular material used in automotive and aerospace manufacturing, bike frames, and sporting goods equipment. Carbon fiber is also the main material used in wind turbine blades.
There are different carbon fiber fabric types and configurations. The two main ones are plain and twill weave.
This article explains the difference between plain vs twill weave carbon fiber. Keep reading to determine which might be right for your project or application.
Plain vs Twill Weave Carbon Fiber
Carbon fiber is a polymer that is very strong and lightweight. As a point of reference, it is approximately five times stronger than steel yet much lighter.
Plain vs twill weave carbon fiber refers to the distinct patterns by which the carbon fiber strands are woven. Plain carbon weave has strands that alternate one-to-one over and under. Twill weave alternates every two or three strands together.
This produces different characteristics for each. Below is a composite material comparison of each, broken down into distinct categories.
Appearance
The two patterns create distinct designs. Plain weave carbon fiber creates a more uniform, checkerboard appearance. Twill weave has a diagonal, ribbed pattern, with alternating lines.
Some people enjoy the simpler aesthetic of a plain weave, which appears more uniform and simpler. Others appreciate the intricacies of the twill weave’s chevron patterns.
Strength and Durability
The two patterns also produce unique attributes, including strength levels. In general, plain weave is slightly stronger, as the patterns are more tightly packed. This is ideal for carbon fiber applications where structural integrity is paramount.
Twill patterns, with a slightly looser weave, are still strong. They will have slightly less load-bearing capacity than plain weave though. The flip side is that the twill weave is slightly less rigid, which can make it better at absorbing impact than plain weave.
Flexibility
Due to its tighter patterns, plain weave is stiffer and less flexible than twill weave. In production processes, this can make it harder to drape over or around complex curves or shapes.
Twill weave is more flexible, which makes it easier to manipulate around contours and detailed geometries. This makes it slightly preferable to plain weave for producing more intricate parts.
Weight
A final distinction between plain and twill carbon fiber weaves is weight. Assuming the patterns use the same carbon fiber material, the differences in weight between plain and twill carbon fiber weave will be negligible. However, there could be some differences, depending on the application.
Twill weave’s flexibility can cover complex shapes using less resin. That means it requires less material, reducing the total weight.
Conversely, plain weaves may require more material to cover complex geometries. This can increase the final laminated weight of the part.
Learn More About Plain vs. Twill Weave Carbon Fiber
Both plain and twill weave carbon fiber offer unique appearances and benefits. With the information above, you can determine if plain vs twill weave carbon fiber is best for your application.
SMI Composites is a part of the Mayco Group that works within multiple industries. We offer complete design, engineering, tooling, and manufacturing solutions for our customers. Contact us to learn more.
