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 BRITISH STANDARD BS 3396-1:
1991

Woven glass fibre

fabrics for plastics
reinforcement —
Part 1: Specification for loom-state
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fabrics
 BS 3396-1:1991

Committees responsible for this

British Standard

The preparation of this British Standard was entrusted by the Plastics and
Rubber Standards Policy Committee (PRM/-) to Technical Committee PRM/41,
upon which the following bodies were represented:

British Plastics Federation

Department of Trade and Industry (National Physical Laboratory)
ERA Technology Ltd.
Ministry of Defence
Society of British Aerospace Companies Ltd.
Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders Ltd.
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This British Standard, having

been prepared under the
direction of the Plastics and
Rubber Standards Policy
Committee, was published
under the authority of the
Standards Board and comes
into effect on
31 October 1991

© BSI 08-1999

First published September 1961

Second edition August 1966
Amendments issued since publication
Third edition May 1982
Fourth edition October 1991 Amd. No. Date Comments

The following BSI references

relate to the work on this
standard:
Committee reference PRM/41
Draft for comment 90/41794 DC

ISBN 0 580 20068 X

 BS 3396-1:1991

Contents

Page
Committees responsible Inside front cover
Foreword ii
1 Scope 1
2 Definitions 1
3 Material 1
4 Designation 1
5 Fabric construction 1
6 Selection of test samples 3
7 Packaging 3
8 Marking and identification 3
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Appendix A Determination of the average mass per unit area 4

Appendix B Calculation of mass per unit area and breaking
strengths for loom-state glass fabrics 5
Appendix C Determination of breaking strength 6
Figure 1 — Example of diagonal positioning of test specimens
on a textile glass fabric sample 4
Table 1 — Glass fibre fabrics 2
Table 2 — Standard factors for basic singles yarns 5
Publication(s) referred to Inside back cover

© BSI 08-1999 i
 BS 3396-1:1991

Foreword

This Part of BS 3396 has been prepared under the direction of the Plastics and
Rubber Standards Policy Committee. It is a revision of BS 3396-1:1982 which is
withdrawn.
In this revision the definitions have been aligned with ISO 472, the test methods
have been substantially aligned with ISO test methods where possible and the
scope has been extended to take account of progress in fibre forming technology
which has led to manufacturers of woven glass fibre fabrics using singles yarn or
yarn requiring only one twisting process. Therefore yarns that require two
twisting processes will in future tend to be replaced by yarns that require one
twisting process and natural progression will eventually lead to the use of singles
yarn. For example 34 × 2 × 2 tex yarn has already been largely replaced
by 68 × 2 tex yarn and in many cases by 136 tex yarns.
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Therefore in this revision all the fabrics using cabled yarns which have become
obsolete have been removed from the standard.
Fabrics manufactured only from “E” type glass are covered by this standard.
A British Standard does not purport to include all the necessary provisions of a
contract. Users of British Standards are responsible for their correct application.
Compliance with a British Standard does not of itself confer immunity
from legal obligations.

Summary of pages
This document comprises a front cover, an inside front cover, pages i and ii,
pages 1 to 6, an inside back cover and a back cover.
This standard has been updated (see copyright date) and may have had
amendments incorporated. This will be indicated in the amendment table on the
inside front cover.

ii © BSI 08-1999
 BS 3396-1:1991

1 Scope 2.8
textile size
This Part of BS 3396 specifies requirements for
loom-state glass fibre fabrics in a range of size designed to facilitate subsequent textile
thicknesses and weaves and woven from continuous operations (twisting, folding, weaving, etc.)
filament yarns of “E” type glass. These fabrics are 2.9
intended, usually after further treatment, for the linear density
reinforcement of rigid plastics mouldings and
the mass per unit length of a textile material. The
laminates, with resin or resin systems such as
basic unit is the “tex” which expresses the mass in
polyester, epoxide, phenolic, silicone and melamine.
grams of 1 km of yarn
NOTE The titles of the publications referred to in this standard
are listed on the inside back cover. 2.10
cabled yarn
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2 Definitions two or more folded yarns (or alternatively folded and

For the purposes of this standard the following singles yarn) twisted together in one or more folding
definitions apply. operations
2.1
“E” type glass
3 Material
a glass containing not more than 1 % by mass of The fabric shall be woven from continuous filament
alkali (calculated as Na2O) and used for the yarns of “E” type glass.
manufacture of glass fibres
4 Designation
2.2
filament The designation of the fabric shall consist of the
following details of its construction given in the
a single textile element of small diameter and very following order:
long length, considered as continuous
a) the number of warp ends per 100 mm;
2.3
b) the number of weft picks per 100 mm;
strand
c) the linear density of the warp yarn and the
an assembly of simultaneously produced parallel
diameter of the strand filament;
filaments, slightly bonded and without intentional
twist d) the linear density of the weft yarn and the
diameter of the strand filament;
2.4
yarn e) the type of weave, e.g. plain, twill, 8-shaft
satin, mock leno;
a general term covering specific types of textile
f) the mass per unit area.
structures, with or without twist, made of staple
fibres or filaments NOTE If the construction is one of those listed in Table 1 the
appropriate designation code given in column 1 of this table may
2.5 be used as an alternative to stating the full construction details.
singles yarn
5 Fabric construction
the simplest continuous strand of textile material
composed of a number of continuous filaments, held 5.1 General
together by twist. Such a yarn is described as a The fabric shall be uniformly woven. The selvedges
continuous filament yarn shall be well made, substantially straight and even,
2.6 and shall have approximately the same tension as
folded yarn; plied yarn the remainder of the fabric.
a general term designating yarn formed by twisting NOTE 1 The fabric should normally be supplied free from yarn
defects and defects of weaving.
two or more singles yarns in one folding operation NOTE 2 Certain weaving defects are usually marked by the
2.7 manufacturer by the use of coloured thread fastened to the
selvedge adjacent to the defect.
size
NOTE 3 The fabric should normally be supplied free from
material applied to glass fibres or filaments during streaks, stains, oil and grease spots, other contamination,
the course of their manufacture creases, wrinkles and other permanent distortions.

© BSI 08-1999 1
Licensed Copy: lbocvzr lbocvzr, University of Loughborough, 21 February 2004, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI
Table 1 — Glass fibre fabricsa
2

BS 3396-1:1991
Designation Approximate Nominal mass per Weave Warp ends Weft picks Nominal linear density of Minimum average
code thicknessb unit area per 100 mm per 100 mm yarn breaking strengthc
(SeeAppendix B) (N per 10 mm width)
(See Appendix B)
Warp Weft Warp Weft
mm 2 tex tex
g/m
P1/1 0.08 79 Plain 177 173 11 × 2 11 × 2 134 131
P2/1 0.08 96 Plain 252 173 11 × 2 11 × 2 191 131
P5/22 0.18 171 Plain 59 67 22 × 2 × 3 22 × 2 × 3 252 286
P5/68 0.18 177 Plain 59 67 68 × 2 68 × 2 227 258
P6/11 0.15 182 Plain 142 126 11 × 2 × 3 11 × 2 × 3 322 286
P6/22 0.15 182 Plain 142 126 22 × 3 22 × 3 303 269
P6/34 0.15 188 Plain 142 126 34 × 2 34 × 2 273 242
P8/34 0.23 242 Plain 142 102 34 × 2 34 × 2 × 2 273 392
P8/34/68 0.23 242 Plain 142 102 34 × 2 68 × 2 273 392
P14/34 0.48 546 Plain 67 63 34 × 3 × 4 34 × 4 × 3 773 727
P14/136 0.48 546 Plain 67 63 136 × 3 136 × 3 773 727
P32/11 0.05 49 Plain 252 181 11 11 95.3 68.4
P38/34 0.13 127 Plain 181 181 34 34 174 174
P40/68/5.5 0.25 420 Plain 299 24 68 × 2 5.5 1 151 4.5
P41/68 0.18 207 Plain 173 122 68 68 333 235
T2/22 0.15 182 2/2 twill 142 126 22 × 3 22 × 3 303 269
T3/68 0.28 331 2/2 twill 118 118 68 × 2 68 × 2 454 454
S2/22 0.23 297 8 shaft satin 224 213 22 × 3 22 × 3 478 455
S2/34 0.23 306 8 shaft satin 224 213 34 × 2 34 × 2 431 410
S12/68 0.38 411 4 shaft satin 189 126 68 × 2 68 × 2 727 485
S13/11 0.10 105 4 shaft satin 236 228 11 × 2 11 × 2 178 172
OS1/5.5 — 66 6 × 6 mock leno 299 287 5.5 × 2 5.5 × 2 113 108
OS11/68 0.46 353 6 × 6 mock leno 150 102 68 × 2 68 × 2 577 392
NOTE 1 Fabrics embodying filaments with diameters other than those listed in Appendix A can be manufactured but they should be ordered as set out in clause 4.
NOTE 2 P5/22, P6/11, P8/34 and P14/34 are now the only fabrics to use cabled yarns.
a
See 5.6
© BSI 08-1999

b Thickness when measured in accordance with BS 2544 under a load of 10 N/cm2 provide no direct indication of the contribution of each layer of fabric to the thickness of the
lamination, e.g. in laminates made by the contact moulding process the contribution of each layer is likely to be greater than the value stated.
c
No negative tolerance is permitted on the average value, but a tolerance of – 20 % is permitted on individual values.

5.2 Mass per unit area
The mass per unit area when determined in
accordance with Appendix A shall differ by not more
than ± 6 % from the nominal value calculated as
described in Appendix B.
NOTE Table 1 contains the nominal values of mass per unit
area for the fabric constructions described therein.
5.3 Warp ends and weft picks
The number of warp ends and weft picks shall differ
by not more than ± 2.5 % from the average values
for the fabric constructions (see Table 1).
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5.4 Breaking strength
The average breaking strength of the fabric in the
warp and weft directions, when determined in
accordance with Appendix C, shall be not less than
the minimum values calculated in accordance
with Appendix B.
NOTE Minimum values for selected constructions are given
in Table 1.
5.5 Width
The width of the fabric, including the selvedge, shall
not be less than that stated by the manufacturer or
exceed it by more than 1.5 % or 2.5 cm, whichever is
the lesser.
NOTE Typical widths are 91, 100, 122 and 137 cm.
5.6 Diameters of filaments
For the manufacture of fabric in accordance with the
designation codes in column 1 of Table 1, the
diameters of the filaments in the strands shall be
those listed in Table 2.
1) Marking BS 3396-1:1991 on or in relation to a product represents a manufacturer’s declaration of conformity, i.e. a claim by or
on behalf of the manufacturer that the product meets the requirements of the standard. The accuracy of the claim is therefore
solely the responsibility of the person making the claim. Such a declaration is not to be confused with third party certification of
conformity, which may also be desirable.
© BSI 08-1999
BS 3396-1:1991
6 Selection of test samples
A sample shall be selected from the full width of the
roll. It shall be of sufficient size to provide
specimens for all tests to be performed.
7 Packaging
The fabric shall be rolled evenly on tubes of
sufficient length and strength to produce a form
package so as to prevent collapsing or telescoping
during transit, storage and handling. Both ends of
the roll shall be suitably protected to prevent
damage to the edges of the cloth. Each roll shall be
individually wrapped and rolls of fabric shall be
securely packed in parcels or boxes in such a way as
to protect them from damage.
NOTE It is normal for manufacturers to recommend that the
packages of woven rovings are stored and transported
horizontally in order to avoid distortion of the fabric weave.
8 Marking and identification
Each roll of fabric and package shall be marked with
the following information:
a) the number and date of this British Standard,
i.e. BS 3396-1:19911);
b) the designation or designation code of the
fabric (see Table 1 and clause 4);
c) the word “loom-state”;
d) the manufacturer’s identification, e.g. AB
and Co;
e) the manufacturer’s product number or symbol;
f) the manufacturer’s beam or creel number.
3
 BS 3396-1:1991
Appendix A Determination of the
average mass per unit area
NOTE This method is related to ISO 4605.
A.1 Principle
The mass of test specimens of known surface area is
determined after conditioning in a specified
atmosphere.
A.2 Apparatus
A.2.1 Polished metal template, of
dimensions 400 ± 1 mm × 250 ± 1 mm.
A.2.2 Suitable tool for trimming, e.g. a knife or
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scissors.
A.2.3 Container, made of stainless steel.
A.2.4 Balance, capable of weighing to an accuracy
of ± 0.1 % of the total mass.
A.3 Test specimens
Cut a strip of at least 1 000 mm from across the
whole width of the textile glass fabric. Place the
template on this strip and cut out the specimens
with a trimming tool.
Figure 1 — Example of diagonal positioning of test specimens on a textile glass fabric sample
4 © BSI 08-1999
Take one test specimen for every 500 mm of width of
glass fabric tested, with a minimum of three test
specimens. Cut the test specimens, as evenly
distributed as possible, from the sample in a
diagonal manner and not closer than 50 mm to the
edges and selvedges (see Figure 1).
NOTE Test specimens may be cut parallel to the warp yarns of
the textile strip, if the width of the textile glass fabric makes it
necessary.
A.4 Conditioning and testing atmospheres
Condition the specimen for not less than 6 h in an
atmosphere having a relative humidity
of 65 ± 5 % r.h. and a temperature of 20 ± 2 °C.
Perform the tests in the same atmosphere.
A.5 Procedure
Weigh the container (A.2.3) to an accuracy
of ± 0.1 %, and record its mass m1 (in g).
Place a test specimen in the container.
Weigh the test specimen plus container to an
accuracy of ± 0.1 %, and record the total mass m2
(in g).
 BS 3396-1:1991

A.6 Expression of results The mass per unit area P (in g/m2), minimum
Calculate the mass per unit area Z (in g/m2) of each average warp breaking strength Q (in N per 10 mm
test specimen, according to the formula width) and minimum average weft breaking
strength R (in N per 10 mm width) for loom-state
m2 – m1 fabrics shall be calculated as follows:
Z = -----------------------
-
A
where
m1 is the mass (in g) of the container;
m2 is the mass (in g) of the test specimen and
container;
A is the area (in m2) of the test specimen,
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i.e. 0.1 m2.

where
Express the mass per unit area of the textile glass
fabric as the arithmetic mean of the values obtained x is the number of warp ends per 100 mm;
for all the test specimens. y is the number of weft picks per 100 mm;
A.7 Test report k is the minimum average breaking strength
The test report shall include the following: factor for basic singles yarn (in N);
a) a complete reference to the textile glass fabric a is the number of warp yarns, primary
tested; doubling (folding);
b) the orientation of the test specimens with b is the number of warp yarns, secondary
respect to the warp and weft yarns, if not doubling (cabling);
diagonal; c is the number of weft yarns, primary
c) the average value of mass per unit area and the doubling (folding);
individual values (in g/m2). d is the number of weft yarns, secondary
doubling (cabling);
Appendix B Calculation of mass per CA is the basic singles warp count (in tex);
unit area and breaking strengths for
loom-state glass fabrics CB is the basic singles weft count (in tex).
NOTE The singles yarns used in the fabrics listed in Table 1 NOTE 1 The factor 1.03 represents the contraction of yarn due
have the linear densities, approximate filament diameters and to crimp in weaving. In the case of certain fabrics some
average breaking strengths given in Table 2. adjustment of this factor may be required. Such adjustment
Table 2 — Standard factors for basic should be subject to agreement between the purchaser and the
supplier.
singles yarns NOTE 2 The factor 1 is used where there are no primary or
Yarn linear Approximate Minimum average secondary doublings to give values a, b, c, or d.
density filament diameter breaking strength Examples 1 and 2 show the uses of these formulae.
tex Èm N Example 1
5.5 5 1.89 A plain weave fabric woven with 142 warp ends
11 5 3.78 per 100 mm and 126 weft picks per 100 mm
of 22 × 3 tex glass yarn has the following properties.
22 7 7.12
Minimum average warp breaking strength
34 9 9.62 (in N per 10 mm width), given by
68 9 19.24
136 9 38.48

Minimum average weft breaking strength (in N

per 10 mm width), given by

© BSI 08-1999 5
 BS 3396-1:1991
Mass per unit area (in g/m2), given by
Example 2
A unidirectional fabric woven with 299 ends
per 100 mm of 68 × 2 tex glass and 24 picks
per 100 mm of 5.5 tex glass has the following
properties.
Minimum average warp breaking strength
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(in N per 10 mm width), given by
Minimum average weft breaking strength (in N
per 10 mm width), given by
Mass per unit area (in g/m2), given by
Appendix C Determination of
breaking strength
NOTE This method is related to ISO 4606.
C.1 Specimen preparation and conditioning
C.1.1 Spread a sample of fabric onto a piece of stiff
paper. Both paper and fabric shall be
at least 360 mm × 350 mm. Place a template of
dimensions 360 mm × 350 mm onto the fabric and
cut through the fabric and paper. For warp
specimens the shorter side of the template shall lie
parallel to the warp threads; for weft specimens the
shorter side of the template shall lie parallel to the
weft threads. Attach the fabric to the paper using
either of the methods in C.1.2 and C.1.3.
6 © BSI 08-1999
C.1.2 Impregnate, coat and attach the fabric to the
paper with a suitable adhesive leaving the central
portion of 200 mm untreated.
NOTE Examples of suitable adhesives are:
a) adhesives based on natural rubber or polychloroprene;
b) a solution of polybutyl methacrylate in xylene;
c) a solution of polymethyl methacrylate moulding powder in
diethyl ketone or butanone.
C.1.3 Impregnate the sample by placing it between
polyvinyl butyral sheets so that the central 200 mm
section is uncovered. The top surface of the
sandwich is covered with a second sheet of stiff
paper and a hot electric iron is applied to soften the
polyvinyl butyral and adhere it to the fabric.
C.1.4 After the sample has dried, cut it into strips of
width 65 mm to give five specimens
350 mm × 65 mm, each with a free
uncoated 200 mm section in the middle. Remove
threads in approximately equal numbers from each
of the long edges of each of the specimens, by cutting
and fraying until the width of the specimen
is 50 mm.
C.1.5 Condition the specimens for at least 6 h in an
atmosphere of 65 ± 5 % r.h. and at 20 ± 2 °C. Carry
out the tests in the same atmosphere.
C.2 Procedure
C.2.1 Fix each specimen in the jaws of a tensile
testing machine, the accuracy of which shall comply
with grade 2 of BS 1610, so that the unsupported
length between the jaws is 200 mm.
C.2.2 Open the jaws of the testing machine until
wider than the test specimen and with edges
parallel to each other and at right angles to the
direction of pull. Pack the jaws with suitable
material such as chamois leather to assist in
gripping the specimen without causing damage.
C.2.3 Apply the load to the specimen at a constant
rate such that a load equivalent to the minimum
specified breaking strength is reached in not less
than 20 s.
C.2.4 Report the average breaking strength of each
set of five specimens as the average breaking
strength in Newtons per 10 mm width.
 BS 3396-1:1991

Publication(s) referred to

BS 1610, Materials testing machines and force verification equipment.

BS 2544, Methods for determination of thickness of textile materials.
ISO 472, Plastics — Vocabulary2).
ISO 4605, Textile glass — Woven fabrics — Determination of mass per unit area.
ISO 4606, Textile glass — Woven fabric — Determination of tensile breaking force and breaking elongation
by the strip method.
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2) Referred to in the foreword only.

© BSI 08-1999
 BS 3396-1:
1991
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