Tables of Weights and Measures

Taken from specifications quoted by my suppliers.

All data should be used as a guide only, and not an exact specification.


Fabric weight and thickness

Fabric Metric Equivalent 1 Thickness (imperial)2 Thickness (metric)1,2
2.3 oz/yd2 fiberglass
(plain weave cloth)
78 gm/m2 0.004" 0.10 mm
6.0 oz/yd2 fiberglass
(plain weave cloth)
203 gm/m2 0.007" 0.17 mm
5.0 oz/yd2 Kevlar (TM)
(plain weave cloth)
170 gm/m2 0.010" 0.25 mm
5.8 oz/yd2 Carbon Fiber
(plain weave cloth)
197 gm/m2 0.009" 0.23 mm
9.0 oz/yd2 Carbon Fiber
(unidirectional)
305 gm/m2 0.011" 0.28 mm

1 calculated values, approximate.

2 dry fiber thickness - to obtain total layup thickness, sum the dry fiber thickness of each individual layer, and then multiply by a weighting factor for laminated thickness; this factor may be greater than 1 for a hand layup, and less than one for a vacuum-bagged layup.  Finally, add the estimated thickness of any final epoxy topcoat or paint.

For a simple layup of one layer of 6oz 'glass and one layer of 2.3 oz 'glass, with a topcoat of epoxy, you can safely assume a skin thickness of 0.5 mm per side, for a total of 1mm added to the overall thickness of the foil.  This will be correct within any reasonable fabrication tolerances.


Wood Density and Strength

Species Specific Gravity Density @ 8% Moisture Density @ 12 % Moisture Modulus of Elasticity @12% Compressive Strength @ 12%
Western Red Cedar 0.33 356 kg/m3

22 lb/ft3

369 kg/m3

23 lb/ft3

7,700 MPa

1,110,000 psi

31,400 kPa

4,560 psi

Sitka Spruce 0.42 454 kg/m3

28 lb/ft3

470 kg/m3

29 lb/ft3

9,900 MPa

1,570,000 psi

35,700 kPa

5,610 psi

Alaskan Yellow Cedar 0.46 497 kg/m3

31 lb/ft3

515 kg/m3

32 lb/ft3

9,800 MPa

1,420,000 psi

43,500 kPa

6,310 psi

Douglas Fir 0.50 540 kg/m3

34 lb/ft3

560 kg/m3

35 lb/ft3

12,600 MPa

1,790,000 psi

47,600 kPa

6,900 psi

Phil. Mahogany 0.54 583 kg/m3

36 lb/ft3

605 kg/m3

38 lb/ft3

11,200 MPa

1,630,000 psi

 
White Ash 0.63 680 kg/m3

42 lb/ft3

705 kg/m3

44 lb/ft3

12,000 MPa

1,740,000 psi

51,100 kPa

7,410 psi

Core-Cell LP1200   200 kg/m3

12 lb/ft3

200 kg/m3

12 lb/ft3

42,441psi??? 500 psi

Compiled from various sources found online, may contain errors. There is variability from tree-to-tree and even plank-to-plank within each species.

8% Moisture Content is typical of kiln dried lumber.

12% Moisture Content is typical of air dried lumber.

Compressive strength measured is parallel to grain.



Copyright © 2002-2003 Phil's Foils & Composites. All rights reserved.
Revised: February 04, 2003