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Q-talk 95 - Aligning Glass Fibers

Aligning Glass Fibers

Terry Crouch Bettendort, IA

(Ed Note: We plan to print a series of interviews like the one shown below to help builders understand "Why" they are instructed to do a technique in a particular way.)

Q-Talk- It has been said, Terry, that you are involved in most of the major glassing done in your three state area. A recent recipient of your assistance described a technique you used during a wing layup. He said that once the glass was in place, you walked down the cut edge, pinching and pulling each of the fiber bundles while, at the same time, a partner on the other side of the layup did the same thing. Were you straightening or pulling the fibers?

Terry - Both. It is very important that the fibers are straight and that they are under some tension. By gently pinching and tugging on both ends, we accomplish both goals. Think about it. If, for example, you have a kite string that takes about five pounds of force to break and you cut and bundle ten equal lengths of string, then the group of strings should be able to support something like fifty pounds of force before they break. If each of the strings were a different length, then each string would fail with only five pounds of force, starting with the shortest string first. It is only when all the fibers in the bundle work together that you get the ultimate strength. That is why we use that technique.



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