At Textile Technologies Europe Ltd, we often refer to E-glass yarn nomenclature system to clearly identify the characteristics of our glass fibre yarns. E-glass is a type of alumino-borosilicate glass known for its excellent electrical insulation and solid mechanical strength, making it the go-to choice for general composite and insulation applications.
The nomenclature breaks down into several key elements and an example might look like:
EC7-68-1/3/3
| E | C | 7 | 68-1 | 3 | 3 | Resultant Tex |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E Glass | Continuous Filament | 7 Micron | 68 Tex Single Yarn | Plied 3 times to make a 68/3 yarn | Plied 3 times again to make a 68/9 yarn | 612 Tex |
- Glass Type – Typically "E-glass" for standard use. Other types like S-glass (for higher strength) and C-glass (for chemical resistance) exist, but E-glass is the most widely used.
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Filament Diameter – Measured in microns (µm), usually between 5–13 µm. Finer filaments offer better flexibility; thicker ones, more strength.
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Filament Count (Tex or Yield) – Tex measures the weight in grams per 1,000 meters (e.g., 136 tex), while Yield is measured in yards per pound (e.g., 450 yield). Both indicate yarn fineness.
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Ply Count – Shows how many yarns are twisted together (e.g., 2-ply means two yarns combined).
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Twist Level – Defined by turns per meter or inch (TPM/TPI), this affects how the yarn behaves during processing and use.
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Sizing (Finish) – The surface treatment applied to improve handling and resin compatibility, such as silane, starch-oil, or epoxy-based sizings.
For example, if Textile Technologies Europe Ltd label a yarn as EC9 -136/2 40 TPM Silane, it means:
- It’s made from E-glass
- It's Continuous Filament
- It has a 9-micron filament diameter
- A weight of 136 Tex
- Two yarns twisted together
- A twist level of 40 TPM
- Finished with silane sizing
This naming system helps ensure that everyone from engineers to end users can quickly understand what they’re working with.