Fabric Terms

To facilitate the discussion of fabric coverings for aircraft, the following definitions are presented. Figure 3-2 illustrates some of these items.

• Warp—the direction along the length of fabric.
• Fill or weave—the direction across the width of the fabric.
• Count—the number of threads per inch in warp or filling.
• Ply—the number of yarns making up a thread.
• Bias—a cut, fold, or seam made diagonally to the warp or fill threads.
• Pinked edge—an edge which has been cut by machine or special pinking shears in a continuous series of Vs to prevent raveling.
• Selvage edge—the edge of cloth, tape, or webbing woven to prevent raveling.
• Greige—condition of polyester fabric upon completion of the production process before being heat shrunk.
• Cross coat—brushing or spraying where the second coat is applied 90° to the direction the first coat was applied. The two coats together make a single cross coat. [Figure 3-3]

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