Sailing knowledge

Bias:
Fibers laminated diagonally (45°) to the base scrim.

Breaking load:
The breaking load of a yarn or fabric at a well-defined cross-section.

Creep:
Describes the property of fibers to stretch under constant load.

Crimp:
The serpentine deformation of the individual yarns in the fabric resulting from weaving.

Dacron:
DuPont's brand name for polyester fibers.

Denier:
Identification of fabric yarns and fibers, with lower numbers indicating finer fabrics and higher numbers indicating stronger fabrics.

Elongation value:
The difference between unloaded length and the length of a yarn under load.

Fiber:
A monofilament, several of which are twisted/spun into a yarn or laid into laminates, for example.

g/sqm:
Weight in grams per square meter of cloth.

Grip:
Properties of a cloth felt by hand.

Kevlar:
Brand name of DuPont for a family of special fibers made from aramid.

Laminate:
Layers of various scrims and fabrics bonded (glued) together by a film.

Modulus:
English term for elongation properties of fabrics and laminates. High modulus = low elongation.

Orientation: 
In relation to sailcloth and laminates, the indication of whether the highest strength is in the warp or weft direction.

Pentex:
Modified polyester with 250% less elongation.

Polyester: 
A strong, robust and inexpensive fiber for woven sailcloth and laminates for cruising sails.

Sailmaker's ounces (smoz): 
weight of a cloth or laminate cutout 36'' x 28.5''. US oz = 46g - GB oz 34 g.

Scrim:
Non-woven scrim that is joined (glued) with a film.

Spectra:
A highly modified polyethylene fiber manufactured by Allied Corp.

Taffeta:
A very lightweight fabric applied to the outer skin of many laminates to protect the inner layers, making the laminate more robust.

Tear strength:
The properties of a fiber, yarn or fabric not to tear even under high load.

Warp:
The yarns "standing" during weaving, through which the "weft" is woven.

Weft:
Yarn that is "shot" (woven) across the warp on a loom.

Yarn direction:
Direction of the individual fibers or yarns in the fabric.