AGY and SAERTEX Collaborate on S-2 Glass® Non-Crimp Fabrics for Composite Applications

AGY and SAERTEX have announced a joint development initiative focused on integrating S-2 Glass® fiber into non-crimp fabric (NCF) architectures. The collaboration aims to develop composite materials for applications in aerospace, defense, industrial, and advanced mobility sectors.

AGY, a manufacturer of specialty glass fiber reinforcements, and SAERTEX, a producer of multiaxial non-crimp fabrics, have introduced a joint development project involving AGY’s S-2 Glass® fiber and SAERTEX engineered NCF structures. The collaboration focuses on combining fiber reinforcement with multiaxial fabric configurations for composite material applications.

The development integrates AGY’s S-2 Glass® fiber with SAERTEX’s multiaxial NCF technology. These fabrics are designed with aligned fiber orientations and controlled surface weights to support load performance while reducing overall component weight and layer requirements.

According to the companies, the integration of S-2 Glass® fiber provides characteristics such as tensile strength, impact resistance, and fatigue performance. The resulting reinforcement systems are being developed to offer higher specific strength and stiffness, improved impact tolerance compared to conventional glass systems, and optimized load distribution through tailored fabric architectures. The materials are also designed for compatibility with manufacturing processes including infusion, resin transfer molding (RTM), prepreg, compression, and pultrusion.

“This development represents a significant step forward in expanding the performance envelope of glass-fiber-based composites,” said Patrick Hunter, Chief Commercial Officer & President of AGY. “Combining S-2 Glass with SAERTEX’s advanced multiaxial fabric design enables lightweight solutions that can compete in applications traditionally reserved for higher-cost materials.”

“SAERTEX is committed to delivering tailor-made reinforcement systems that maximize structural efficiency and manufacturability,” said Christian Beckmann, CEO, SAERTEX. “The integration of AGY’s S-2 Glass fiber allows us to offer customers enhanced mechanical performance while maintaining the processing advantages of non-crimp fabrics.”

The jointly developed materials are being targeted for structural composite applications requiring strength, impact resistance, and fatigue durability. These include aerospace structures, defense systems, pressure vessels, and industrial components.

The companies are currently working on qualifying multiple multiaxial configurations, including unidirectional, biaxial, and quadriaxial formats. These designs incorporate customized fiber orientations to meet specific load requirements and manufacturing methods.

The collaboration focuses on expanding the use of glass fiber in composite materials and supporting the development of lightweight structural applications.