The term “untwisted” refers to the absence of intentional twist in the roving. This structural characteristic minimizes gaps between filaments and promotes full utilization of fiber strength, leading to better fiber-to-resin interaction, easier impregnation, and more uniform stress distribution.

2. Filament Winding Process Overview

Filament winding is a fabrication technique that involves winding continuous fiber strands impregnated with resin onto a rotating mandrel. After winding, the resin is cured (typically thermally), and the mandrel is removed to yield a hollow, composite part.

Key Stages in Filament Winding:

1. Fiber delivery: Untwisted roving is pulled from the creel under controlled tension.

2. Resin impregnation: Roving is passed through a resin bath or injection system.

3. Mandrel winding: The fiber is wound onto a rotating mandrel at specific angles (hoop, helical, polar).

4. Curing: The wound part is cured using heat or UV light to harden the resin.

5. Demolding: The mandrel is removed, and the composite part is trimmed.

Untwisted roving is especially suited for this process due to its dimensional stability, consistent tension handling, and excellent wet-out behavior.

3. Product Characteristics of Untwisted Roving for Winding

4. Applications of Untwisted Roving for Winding

4.1 Pressure Vessels

• Gas storage cylinders (e.g., CNG, hydrogen)

• Fire extinguishers

• Air receivers

4.2 Industrial Pipes

• Chemical-resistant piping

• Sewer and wastewater pipes

• Underground ducting

4.3 Tanks and Silos

• Acid storage tanks

• Fertilizer tanks

• Brine and water tanks

4.4 Infrastructure and Energy

• Wind turbine blades (spar caps)

• Composite light poles

• Electrical utility enclosures

4.5 Aerospace and Defense

• Rocket casings

• Structural shells

• Filament wound casings for drones

5. Technical Requirements

Untwisted rovings for winding must meet specific mechanical and processing benchmarks:

6. Technical Data Sheet (TDS)

Product Name: Untwisted Roving for Filament Winding

Glass Type: E-glass

Product Form: Continuous, untwisted strands wound onto cylindrical bobbins

6.1 Physical Properties

6.2 Mechanical Properties

7. Packaging and Logistics

Packaging

• Bobbins wound on cardboard tubes (3-inch core diameter)

• Polyethylene-wrapped, then palletized

• Pallet: 1.1m × 1.1m, holds 48–64 bobbins depending on size

• Stretch-wrapped with corner protectors

Labeling

Each bobbin includes:

• Product code and tex

• Gross/net weight

• Batch number

• Date of manufacture

• Resin compatibility

8. Storage and Shelf Life

• Temperature: 15 – 35°C

• Humidity: ≤ 65% RH

• Conditions: Keep dry, avoid sunlight and temperature cycling

• Shelf Life: 12 months under normal conditions; extendable to 24 months in climate-controlled warehousing

9. Processing Recommendations

Tips

• Always condition fiber in production environment for 24 hours before use.

• Replace damaged bobbins to prevent strand inconsistency.

• Ensure continuous fiber tension during splicing or bobbin changeover.

10. Health and Safety

Precautions

• Glass fiber dust may irritate eyes, skin, or respiratory system.

• Handle with gloves and wear safety glasses during installation.

First Aid Measures

• Eye contact: Rinse with clean water for 15 minutes.

• Skin irritation: Wash with soap and water.

• Inhalation: Move to fresh air, use respiratory protection if necessary.

Refer to the MSDS for full H&S guidance.

11. Quality Standards

12. Environmental Considerations

• Recyclability: Glass fiber offcuts may be reprocessed as filler material.

• Sustainability: Inert material, non-toxic and durable.

• Compliance: Meets EU and US regulations for environmental health and safety.

13. Customization Options

Manufacturers can provide tailored variants based on:

• Tex/yield requirements

• Resin compatibility (epoxy, polyester, vinyl ester, phenolic)

• Filament diameter optimization

• Bobbin size customization for your winding machine

• Sizing chemistry tailored to specialty applications (e.g., UV resistance, flame retardancy)

14. Manufacturer Technical Support

Top suppliers offer:

• On-site process optimization

• Engineering support for mandrel and resin matching

• Spooling design consultation

• Fiber testing and quality validation

15. Conclusion

Untwisted roving for winding is a cornerstone material in the filament winding process, valued for its clean fiber alignment, superior wet-out, high strength, and process consistency. Its versatility and performance make it ideal for advanced composite applications in infrastructure, aerospace, automotive, and industrial manufacturing.

With customizable options, robust quality control, and excellent mechanical properties, untwisted roving delivers enhanced productivity and long-term reliability in any high-performance filament winding application.