materials can be used. Substitution of other materials is  forbidden and results in the aircraft being unairworthy. The following is an introduction to the supplemental materials  used to complete a fabric covering job per manufacturer’s  instruction or a STC. Anti-chafe tape is used on sharp protrusions, rib caps, metal  seams, and other areas to provide a smoother surface to keep  the fabric from being torn. It is usually self-adhesive cloth  tape and is applied after the aircraft is cleaned, inspected,  and primed, but before the fabric is installed. Reinforcing tape is most commonly used on rib caps after  the fabric covering is installed to protect and strengthen the  area for attaching the fabric to the ribs. Surface tape, made of polyester material and often pre- shrunk, is obtained from the STC holder. This tape, also  known as finishing tape, is applied after the fabric is installed.  It is used over seams, ribs, patches, and edges. Surface tape  can have straight or pinked edges and comes in various  widths. For curved surfaces, bias cut tape is available, which  allows the tape to be shaped around a radius.  Rib lacing cord is used to lace the fabric to the wing ribs.  It must be strong and applied as directed to safely transfer  in-flight loads from the fabric to the ribs. Rib lacing cord is  Rib bracing tape is used on wing ribs before the fabric is  installed. It is applied spanwise and alternately wrapped  around a top rib cap and then a bottom rib cap progressing  from rib to rib until all are braced.  [Figure 3-5]  Lacing  the ribs in this manner holds them in the proper place and  alignment during the covering process. Rib Bracing Reinforcing Tape Anti-Chafe Tape Other Fabric Covering Materials Surface Tape Rib Lacing Cord Figure 3-4.  Approved fabrics for covering aircraft. Approved Aircraft Fabrics Fabric Name or Type Ceconite™ 101 Ceconite™ 102 Polyfiber™ Heavy Duty-3 Polyfiber™ Medium-3 Polyfiber™ Uncertified Light Superflight™ SF 101 Superflight™ SF 102 Superflight™ SF 104 Grade A Cotton 3.5 3.16 3.5 3.16 1.87 3.7 2.7 1.8 4.5 C-15d C-15d C-15d C-15d C-15d C-15d C-15d 69  x  63 60  x  60 69  x  63 60  x  60 90  x  76 70  x  51 72  x  64 94  x  91 80  x  84 125,116 106,113 125,116 106,113 66,72 80,130 90,90 75,55 80,80 Weight (oz/sq yd) Count (warp x fill) TSO New Breaking  Strength (lb) (warp, fill) Minimum Deteriorated  Breaking Strength 70% of original specified fabric 70% of original specified fabric 70% of original specified fabric 70% of original specified fabric uncertified 70% of original specified fabric 70% of original specified fabric uncertified 56 lb/in (70% of New) Figure 3-5.  Inter-rib bracing holds the ribs in place during the  covering process.  3-5