A ‘Braid’ is a system of three or more yarns intertwined in such a way that no two yarns are twisted around one another. In practical terms, braid refers to a family of fabrics continuously woven. Generally, there are four common braid architectures:

Biaxial: 2 layers
Triaxial: 3 layers
Quadraxial: 4 layers

The acute angle measured from the axis of the braid to the axis of the bias yarns is called the "braid angle." This angle is also referred to as the "fibre angle" or the "bias angle".

Different layers will run in different directions according to the material’s specification.

Zero degrees means one layer is running longitudinal (length wise or warp wise).

+45 and -45 means that there are 2 layers running off 45 degrees on each side of the warp direction.

90 degrees means that there is a layer running at 90 degrees (horizontal, weft or fill direction) to the warp direction.

Braids and from Algeos are specifically supplied for the manufacture of prosthetics and orthotics, but can be used for other purposes. Contact us for advice.