Bias tape is hideously expensive, but easy to make using bi-directional hybrid.
Simply stick two strips of 1/2 inch wide masking tape (or time tape) a few
inches apart across the desired length of the hybrid material. Cut down the
center of the masking tape strips to release the hybrid tape. When applying the
hybrid tape to the job pull the taped sides in opposite directions to create
biased fibers. With the masking tape on the underside you usually cannot see
the tape but can still completely wet out the fibers. Stray fibers along the
edge will also be held neatly and fairly blunt scissors can be used to cut the
Kevlar and your leftover roll of Kevlar will not have frayed edges. If the bias
hybrid tape is being used to reinforce along a curved shape, say the
bulkhead/hull joint on a Swift, snip the masking tape edges of your hybrid
tape every 10mm or so to allow it to flex as easily as the tape and conform to
the required shape. A butt joint reinforced with fibers on the bias where every
fiber crosses the vertex of the joint will lead to a stronger joint.
Reinforcing tubular structures with biased Kevlar fibers leads to a more
resilient structure, that if fractured, might stay together in one broken piece
and get you home, rather than give you two useless pieces.
Greg
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