Continuous Filament Mat (CFM)

Superior mechanical properties with continuous fiber architecture. Ideal for RTM, pultrusion, compression molding, and other high-strength closed-mold processes.

Product Overview

Continuous Filament Mat (CFM) — also specified and sold as continuous strand mat — is manufactured from continuous glass filaments laid down in a swirl pattern and bonded together. Unlike chopped strand mat, CFM retains continuous fiber lengths, which gives it superior tensile strength, stiffness, and fatigue resistance.

As a continuous glass fiber mat, CFM is the reinforcement of choice for closed-mold processes such as RTM, resin film infusion, and compression molding. It is also widely used in pultrusion, filament winding, and wind energy applications. Because the fibers are continuous, CFM handles well during resin injection and produces laminates with higher fiber content and fewer voids than CSM in many processes.

300-1200 g/m²

Weight range

High Strength

higher than CSM (varies by grade)

1270-2600mm

Standard widths

Technical Specifications

CFM vs CSM: When to Choose CFM

Both CFM and CSM are non-woven fiberglass matting products, but their performance differs because of fiber length.

Choose CFM when the part needs higher strength, better dimensional stability, or will be produced in a closed-mold process. Choose CSM when cost and conformability are the main priorities.

Applications

RTM Molding

Automotive panels, covers, and structural parts requiring two smooth surfaces.

Pultrusion

Profiles, gratings, ladders, and structural shapes with high axial strength.

Wind Energy

Root sections, shear webs, and infusion layers in wind blades.

Pressure Vessels

Cylinders and tanks requiring high hoop strength and low void content.

Rail and Transport

Interior panels, flooring, and structural components.

Industrial

High-load machine guards, supports, and structural covers.

Glass-Mat Thermoplastic (GMT) Substrates

Beyond thermoset composite processes, continuous filament mat also serves as the glass backbone of glass-mat thermoplastic (GMT) sheet. In GMT production, layers of glass mat — chopped strand mat or continuous/random strand mat — are consolidated with a thermoplastic matrix, most commonly polypropylene (PP) and in some cases polyamide (PA). The reinforcement is melt-impregnated, or laminated with molten polymer, into a semi-finished sheet that converters then hot compression mold or stamp into finished parts at high cycle rates. The glass layer is what makes the thermoplastic sheet structural: it carries most of the mechanical load, limits creep under sustained stress, and provides the impact resistance that molded parts are specified for.

GMT has been in industrial use since the 1970s as a stampable replacement for metal sheet, and automotive remains its largest market. Typical glass content is 40–55 wt%, giving molded parts high stiffness and impact resistance at lower weight than equivalent steel stampings. In production, the sheet is heated above the matrix melting point, stamped in matched metal dies, and cooled under pressure to set the part geometry — the step that enables the short cycle times GMT is known for.

Typical automotive applications include headliner substrates, door panels, seat backs, front-end modules, underbody shields, and battery covers for battery electric vehicles (BEVs). Of these, underbody shields are the largest GMT application segment. GMT is often specified through established branded substrates — Azdel-type sheet is the best-known example — but the glass mat layer inside is a standard reinforcement that can be sourced directly from the mat manufacturer. For a broader view of glass mat reinforcements in this market, see our automotive applications overview.

For laminate producers and Tier-1 suppliers, PrimeMat supplies glass mat for GMT lamination in typical weights of 300–900 g/m². Consistent weight per area matters as much as the nominal value, because variation in mat weight carries directly into the glass content — and therefore the stiffness — of the finished sheet. Two specifications matter most in this process. First, the binder and sizing chemistry must be PP-compatible, so the mat wets out and bonds reliably with molten polypropylene during impregnation. Second, roll width should be matched to the laminating line to minimize edge trim waste. Share your resin system, line width, and target glass content with our team, and we will recommend a mat construction and supply format for your GMT line.

Quality Assurance

Our CFM is produced under ISO 9001 quality management. Each lot is tested for:

• Weight per area
• Loss on Ignition (LOI)
• Moisture content
• Tensile strength and elongation
• Visual inspection for uniform fiber distribution

Certificates of Analysis are provided with every shipment. Third-party inspection and custom testing can be arranged on request.

To estimate roll weight for shipping and handling, use our roll weight calculator.