Stitched Fiberglass Mats (Stitch Mat)
Multiaxial Stitched Fabrics | Pultrusion · RTM · Vacuum Infusion
Stitch Mat
Stitch mats are non-crimp, stitched fiberglass reinforcements that combine one or more layers of unidirectional (UD) rovings with a chopped strand mat (CSM) backing or veil, all held together by polyester stitching threads. Unlike conventional woven fabrics where fibers are crimped at crossover points, NCF (Non-Crimp Fabric) stitch mats keep fibers straight — maximising the structural contribution of each filament and delivering higher laminate mechanical properties for a given areal weight.
Key Features
- Straight, non-crimped fibers for maximum mechanical efficiency
- Consistent areal weight across full roll width — no weak patches
- Excellent drapeability over complex mold geometries
- Fast resin wet-out — suitable for RTM and vacuum infusion
- Available in combined UD + CSM construction for multi-directional strength
- Polyester stitch thread holds structure without compromising wet-out
- Reduces lay-up time versus multiple separate plies
Product Overview
In composite manufacturing, the alignment and straightness of reinforcing fibers is a fundamental determinant of part performance. Conventional woven roving introduces fiber crimp at every weave crossover, reducing the effective tensile modulus by 10–15% compared to straight fibers of the same tex. Stitch mats eliminate this compromise by keeping fiber bundles flat and parallel, stitched together with a light polyester thread rather than woven.
The most common construction for pultrusion and RTM is a combination of a unidirectional (0° or 90°) roving layer paired with a random chopped strand mat (CSM) layer. The UD layer provides the principal axial or hoop strength, while the CSM component provides isotropic in-plane stiffness, improves resin distribution and aids fiber wet-out during infusion. This combination delivers laminates with a good balance of longitudinal and transverse properties using a single fabric form that handles and drapes easily.
Our stitch mats are supplied in roll form with a typical roll width of 1000– 1270 mm and standard roll weights of 50–100 kg. Custom widths and constructions can be arranged for volume orders.
Note: We supply multiple grades and qualities to match your application — share your requirements and we will recommend the right product.