Continuous Strand Mat

Rapid Build-Up for Parts and Molds

Continuous Strand Mat Overview

 

1.5 oz/sq ft, 50" Wide, 0.060" Thick

Continuous Strand Mat is frequently used for rapid build-up of parts and molds, whether used alone or with other fiberglass fabrics. It wets out easily, is highly conformable, and is easily controlled for thickness, when uniformity is a factor.

When used with vacuum infusion, continuous strands looped throughout the mat facilitate the flow of resin, unlike the slowing effects often caused by chopped strand binders.

Continuous Strand Mat contains a binder which holds strands together, but prevents proper bonding with any epoxy resins. PLEASE NOTE: It is only compatible with polyester or vinyl ester resins.

Typical full roll length is 125 yards.

Why Choose Continuous Strand Mat Over Chopped Strand Mat?

While both Continuous Strand Mat and Chopped Strand Mat (#250) serve as rapid build-up reinforcements, they differ in fiber construction and performance. Chopped Strand Mat is composed of short, randomly oriented fibers (typically one to two inches in length) held together by a binder. Continuous Strand Mat uses longer, continuous fibers that are looped throughout the mat, providing a key advantage in vacuum infusion applications.

Vacuum infusion, also called resin infusion, is a fabrication technique that uses vacuum pressure to drive resin into a laminate. Dry materials are laid into the mold and vacuum pressure is applied before resin is introduced. The vacuum infusion process offers a better fiber-to-resin ratio than hand lay-up or vacuum bagging.

What Are the Best Applications for Continuous Strand Mat?

Vacuum infusion applications where resin flow facilitation is critical. Building thickness efficiently in combination with woven fiberglass fabrics and woven roving. Generally, all fiberglass mat is used in a schedule with other fiberglass fabrics. While chopped and continuous strand mat are often used as inner layers to build bulk, fiberglass veil mat is used at the surface to prevent show-through of other fiberglass fabrics below.

How Should Continuous Strand Mat Be Used for Best Results?

Use squeegees and saturation rollers to work air from the laminate and compress the layers. For mold construction, alternate layers of mat with woven fabric to increase dimensional stability and strength.

Available in 1-yard package (#251-A, folded), 3-yard package (#251-B, roll), 5-yard roll (#251-C), and cut-to-length yardage (#251, min 10 yd).

Folded prepacks are typically shipped in a small box, or packaged in a box with other items on your order. Continuous Strand Mat ships in a long (45", 53", or 62") box. Click below on the "What to expect when you order Fabric" video to see how rolled fabrics are cut and shipped each time you order.

Continuous Strand Mat This mat is sold by the linear yard, either as a prepackaged quantity or by continuous yardage. Prepacks This mat is available in pre-cut lengths that measure one yard (#251-A, folded package), three yards (#251-B, roll), and five yards (#251-C, roll). Each is packaged and sold separately. For your convenience, these "prepacks" can be purchased in any combination. However, if the length for this mat totals 10 yards or more, we suggest you purchase it in continuous, "cut to length" yardage. Continuous, "Cut to Length" Yardage If you know in advance that you intend to purchase 10 yards or more of mat, it should be ordered in continuous, "cut to length" yardage. In this case, mat will be cut once according to the total yardage ordered, and customers receive a price-per-yard discount as compared to prepacks. Quantity discounts continue to deepen as the yardage increases for any one cut of this mat.