West Systems Fiberglass Tape, Cloth & Mat
WEST SYSTEM Fiberglass Tape, Cloth & Mat: Engineering Strength Into Every Layer
WEST SYSTEM has been synonymous with marine-grade epoxy composites since the Gougeon brothers pioneered the use of epoxy for marine bonding in the late 1960s. That same depth of expertise flows directly into their fiberglass tape, cloth, and mat lineup — a carefully curated range of reinforcing fabrics engineered to work in concert with WEST SYSTEM epoxy systems for results that hold up in the harshest conditions.
A Fabric for Every Application
WEST SYSTEM's glass fabrics are ideal for building epoxy-composite laminates and repairing fiberglass structures, and may also be used with epoxy to provide an abrasion-resistant covering for wooden structures. The lineup spans several distinct fabric types, each suited to different structural demands:
- Woven E-Glass Cloth (740 & 745 Series): Lightweight woven cloth fabrics are ideal for many types of small wooden boatbuilding projects as well as lightweight FRP applications. The tight weave results in a smooth texture that can easily be filled in by applying one to two additional coats of epoxy. When wet out with epoxy, the 4 and 6 oz fabrics become transparent, allowing a clear, natural wood finish — perfect for stripper canoes.
- Biaxial Fabrics & Tapes (727/737 Series): Biaxial fabrics and tapes feature two layers of unidirectional fiberglass placed 45° to the roll axis and held together with a light stitching, making them a stitched tape rather than a woven product. WEST SYSTEM's Biaxial Fabrics & Tapes are designed for durability, abrasion resistance, impact resistance, and skinning resistance.
- Biaxial Fabric with Mat (738 Series): The 738 fabric combines the 17 oz./yd² biaxial base with a ¾ oz./ft² chopped strand mat (CSM) stitched to one side. The purpose of the CSM is to increase the thickness per layer, resulting in fewer layers needed to achieve the desired thickness. Since the CSM is stitched rather than binder-held, there is no compatibility issue with epoxy.
- Glass Tapes (729/731/732/733 Series): Versatile 9 oz woven E-glass fabric tapes with bound edges are ideal for reinforcing chines, hull/deck corners, and similar structural applications. When bonded with WEST SYSTEM Epoxy, they provide additional tensile strength to resist hairline crack development and abrasion. These tapes come in widths ranging from 2" to 6" and are finished on the edge so they will not unravel.
Why the Fabric-Epoxy System Matters
What sets WEST SYSTEM fiberglass reinforcing materials apart from off-the-shelf fabrics is that they are specifically selected and tested to work within the WEST SYSTEM epoxy ecosystem. The fabrics that WEST SYSTEM offers are versatile and cover many applications, but are also chosen for their compatibility with WEST SYSTEM Epoxy. The result is a predictable, well-documented laminating system backed by decades of real-world data from professional boatbuilders and repair technicians worldwide.
Applying fiberglass cloth or tape to surfaces provides reinforcement, abrasion resistance, and prevents grain checking — whether you're sheathing a wooden hull, tabbing in a bulkhead, or patching a stress crack. Tape, defined as fabric cut into a narrow width between 3" and 12", is especially well-suited for applications such as tabbing structures into a hull where the laminate forms an almost 90-degree angle between the hull shell and a bulkhead or stringer.
Whether you're a first-time DIY boater or a seasoned composite builder, WEST SYSTEM's fiberglass reinforcing fabrics deliver the consistency and structural performance that serious marine work demands.