Non-Crimped Fabrics (NCF)

Dr. Zuhaib Ahmad

Department of Textile Technology
National Textile University, Faisalabad
 Learning Outcomes

At the end of this Module, you will be able to understand:

• What are Non-Crimped Fabrics?

• Methodology and Applications

 Non-Crimped Fabrics (NCFs)

• A non-crimp fabric (NCF) is a fabric that has all warp and

weft yarns practically straight.

• The NCF ideally has zero crimp in it, but in actual case, it has
a negligible crimp (both or any one direction).

• The basic principle that leads toward innovation in a non-

crimp structure is based on the assumption that the crimp
in the reinforcement makes elongation and reinforcement
and resin will have lower initial modulus and poor energy
distribution over a larger area in composites.
 Non-Crimped Fabrics (NCFs)

• These structures are specially engineered for composites

applications so that they will perform in conjunction with
resin and the synergy in composites could be enhanced.

• It is because they have good impact resistance (due to the

absence of crimp), and when a force is applied on a specific
area on them, they will distribute that force on the
maximum area and can bear that force easily.
 Non-Crimped Fabrics (NCFs)
NCFs are different from other 3D and 2D structures due to the absence of crimp;
this imparts the special characteristics in the structure such as the following:

1. The presence of crimp in any fabric structure causes low impact resistance as well as low
energy dissipation. In NCFs, no crimp is present, so they provide high impact resistance as well
as high energy dissipation and are commonly used in that types of composites where these
properties are necessary to be achieved.

2. Higher densities of fabrics can be achieved.

3. Better resin infusion because of the strong capillary action of straight yarns (in and out of
plane).

4. The NCF-reinforced composite materials have higher initial modulus.

 3D Non-Crimp Fabrics (3D NCF)
• In NCFs, layers of warp and weft are just
stacked one over the other without any
interlacement and these layers bind together
by two separate warp yarns.

• For the weave design of NCF, the numbering

of warp and weft yarns is done separately, as
shown in Figure.

Cross section of six-layered non-

crimped fabric
 3D Non-Crimp Fabrics (3D NCF)
• The weave design of six-layered non-crimped fabrics, as per the cross
section is given below:
 Unidirectional Fabric (2D NCF)
• Unidirectional (UD) fabrics have superior mechanical properties than
conventional fabrics only in one direction.

• The UD fabrics have all fibers/yarns oriented in one direction without

any crimp.

• In other direction, there are no reasonable fibers/yarns.

• Ideally, UD fabrics have straight yarns that lie parallel to each other.

• Just laid yarns are not stable enough that could be handed.

• To give stability, yarns, for the ease of handling, are held together by
weaving, warp knitting, stitching, or by a resin/gummy material.
 Unidirectional Fabric (2D NCF)
• Woven (UD) fabrics have mostly plain weave.

• Ends/inch are kept much higher than picks/inch.

• Warp yarns are at higher tension and picks inserted are of very
flexible yarn, which easily gets crimped.

• Mostly, the multifilament yarn of polypropylene or polyethylene

is used in picks and 2–4 picks/inch are there.

• A fabric made in such a way is very fragile and is difficult to

handle, so the fabric is passed through a hot press and
thermoplastic weft melt and stick to fabric, thus giving a stable
structure to handle.
 Unidirectional Fabric (2D NCF)
• Warp knitting machines used to make UD fabrics have straight picks of
carbon/glass, inserted through air jet, and warp yarns are just to hold the picks
from different points.

• Warps of warp knitting machines play only a negligible part in strength.

• One of the superiorities of a warp knitting machine based structure is that

multiaxial structure can be made easily.
 Recommended Books/Sources

1. Structural Textile Design 2017 by Yasir Nawab , Syed Talha Ali Hamdani, and Khubab Shaker

2. Production of non-crimp fabrics for composites, A. SCHNABEL and T. GRIES, Institut für Textiltechnik
(ITA) of RWTH Aachen University, Germany 2011

3. Principles of Woven Fabric Manufacturing, Abhijit Majumdar, 2016

4. Principles of Fabric Formation, Prabir Kumar Banerjee, 2014

5. Research Article and YouTube videos

Metal Mesh Weaving
Dr. Zuhaib Ahmad
Department of Textile Technology
National Textile University, Faisalabad
 Metal Mesh Weaving
• Woven wire mesh is woven to size in the same way cloth is woven on
a loom.

• Common materials used to create woven wire mesh include:

Carbon steel
Galvanized steel
Stainless wire mesh
Aluminum
Copper
Brass
 Metal Mesh Weaving
• Stainless wire mesh is especially useful because it is extremely
chemical resistant, works with hot or cold liquids, and is easily
cleaned.
• Aluminum mesh is lightweight, strong, has a high electrical
conductivity, and a low melting point.
• Aluminum mesh also significantly resists atmospheric corrosion.
• Carbon steel and galvanized wire mesh are strong, economical, and
readily available.
• Other exotic materials such as copper and nickel can also be woven
into wire mesh.
 Pre-Crimping
• Heavier woven wires must be pre-crimped.

• The material remains stable and rigid after the crimping process.

• Pre-crimped woven wire mesh is ideal for both industrial & architectural
applications.

• Pre-crimped woven wire mesh is available in:

Inter crimp
Lock crimp
Plain weave
Flat top woven styles
 Features of Woven Wire Mesh

• Solid construction
• Extremely versatile
• East to install
• Can have low resistance to wind loads
• Easily cut to fit
• Available in many materials, such as stainless steel and aluminum
 Applications

• Woven wire mesh baskets

• Woven wire mesh architectural grilles
• Woven wire mesh display shelves and stands
• Woven wire mesh racks
• Woven wire mesh liquid filtration
• Woven wire mesh air filtration
• Woven wire mesh wall reinforcement
• Woven wire mesh handrail panel inserts
Metal Mesh Weaving
 Recommended Books/Sources

1. Structural Textile Design 2017 by Yasir Nawab , Syed Talha Ali Hamdani,
and Khubab Shaker
2. https://www.directmetals.com/products/wire-mesh/woven-wire-mesh/
3. https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=mesh+weaving
4. Research Article and YouTube videos
Stay Safe and Healthy