What is Fiberglass: A Definitive Guide

When you pay attention to the types of materials used in industrial applications, you will come across a lot of varied options– among which, composites are also quite popular.

Fiberglass is a very common type of composite, and it is used in many applications due to its excellent properties. If you are inclined to learn what is fiberglass and what its types are, the guide below captures it all. So, let's read.

What is Fiberglass?

Fiberglass falls under the category of composites. It is made using very fine glass fibers, and it is a combination of glass and plastic woven into one another.

The glass fibers are known for their superior strength and are used for the coating on their own, consisting of a slightly opaque or completely clear white finish. The best part is that fiberglass can be dyed as needed.

History of Fiberglass

Fiberglass is not a recently developed composite and is quite old. It was invented in the ancient civilization by Egyptians and Phoenicians. However, when invented, it was not as smooth as today and was usually opted for decoration purposes.

In the late 19th century, fiberglass was upgraded, and steam heat was used to cast glass into fibers that could be woven. Later, in 1930, one of the well-known researchers named Dale Kleist created the form of fiberglass, which is now used.

It came into being by welding the glass blocks together, and since then, many improvements have been made in the fiberglass.

How is Fiberglass Made?

A lot of ingredients are used in specific measurements to manufacture fiberglass. It consists of soda ash, magnesite, silica sand, limestone, feldspar, nepheline syenite, alumina and borax. Glass is also used, and in the mixture, resin is added.

Once you have combined the ingredients together, you have to blend them together, they are subjected to a furnace. They melt in the furnace creating molten glass.

The molten glass is then cut into the form of fibers and woven to create insulation, sheets and coatings.

Pros and Cons of Fiberglass

Fiberglass comes with pros and cons, and some of these are discussed below.

Pour

• It is very lightweight and can be easy to transport and handle.
• Fiberglass is resistant to corrosion and hence offers durability when exposed to harsh and moisture-oriented conditions,
• The strength of fiberglass is excellent and can be chosen for structural applications.
• Fiberglass needs minimal maintenance compared to other materials.

Cons

• It can break or crack due to extreme pressure.
• It is costly compared to other materials
• Fiberglass is not recyclable, which is a major environmental concern.
• When exposed to UV rays, it can lose its color.

Different Types of Fiberglass

There are different types of fiberglass, which are given below.

E-Glass Fiber

E-glass fiber is also called electrical fiber and is used for insulation in electrical parts. It is mostly opted in industrial and aerospace applications where heat resistance and lightweight are needed.

D-Glass Fiber

D-glass fiber is used for optical cables, electronic appliances, and cookware, and it has boron trioxide. It is suitable for insulating these products.

R-Glass Fiber (Also Known As T-Glass or S-Glass Fiber)

R-glass fiber offers tensile and acidic strength, which is opted for when manufacturing defense and aerospace components.

A-Glass Fiber

It is a very commonly used type of fiberglass in jars, bottles, and window panes. It is highly affordable, can be recycled, and has excellent stability against chemicals.

Advantex Glass Fiber

Advantex glass is a type of glass fiber that is used in applications where temperature changes and exposure to acids are common. Hence, in the oil and mining industry, it is widely used for power plants and systems that provide sewage for a longer life.

ECR Glass Fiber

ECR glass fiber has high resistance against heat and acid, is environmentally friendly, and can be chosen for manufacturing panels with durability. This type of fiberglass is suitable for exposure to heat, water, and impact.

C-Glass Fiber

C-glass, also known as chemical glass, is suitable for applications requiring chemical resistance. It has calcium borosilicate, which is suitable for applications that are exposed to chemicals and water, like tanks and pipes.

Z-Glass Fiber

Z-glass fiber offers reinforcement for many materials, including concrete and is heavy-duty; it looks like a mesh and is resistant to UV rays, acids and wear.

S2 Glass Fiber

S2 glass fiber supports reinforcing structures, and it offers a suitable choice composed of excellent resistance against compression, temperature and impact. It is suitable for aerospace applications.

AR-Glass Fiber

AR glass is an alkali-resistant glass. It can be used in applications that need slow-down cracking and is very strong. It doesn't get affected due to pH changes or when subjected to water consisting of zirconia in its manufacturing.

M-Glass Fiber

M glass fiber is a flexible fiberglass with elasticity and is suitable for packaging, glassware, housing and tableware applications.

AE Glass Fiber

AE glass fiber is popular for filtering air, and its fibers have the ability to trap unwanted particles to enter space. It is commonly used in environmental or laboratory applications.

Available Formats of Fiberglass

There are different fiberglass formats, which are given below.

Woven Fabrics: Fiberglass is also available in fabric format and is in the form of plain and satin weaves and is suitable for car, boards and surfboard components.

Chopped Strand Mat: It is a thick type of fiberglass that is bound into the form of rolls and is used for spray-up or lay-up processes. It offers strength and wetting ability.

Roving and Tow: This form of fiberglass is unraveled manually or fed into machines so that marine, construction, and aerospace components can be manufactured.

Veil Mats: These are thin mats that are suitable for manufacturing panels and automobile components.

The Properties of Fiberglass

Fiberglass has various properties it possesses, and some of these are the following:

• Fiberglass offers a density of 2.4 to 2.76 gm/cm3.
• It has a boiling point of 1000 degrees centigrade and a melting point of 500 to 750 degrees centigrade.
• The tenacity of fiberglass is 6.3 to 6.9 gm/den.
• It offers poor elasticity and 3% of elongation at break.
• Fiberglass has 0% moisture regained.

The Characteristics of Fiberglass

The fiberglass materials have some beneficial characteristics, which are as follows:

• Fiberglass is very strong but is lightweight and can suit structural applications.
• It has the ability to resist chemicals, corrosion and UV rays, which makes it suitable for long-term use.

• Fiberglass offers excellent insulation against electricity and heat.
• It stays stable during different temperatures due to its low thermal conductivity.
• Fiberglass offers flexibility and hence can absorb impact without breaking.

Applications for Fiberglass

There are different applications of fibre de verre, some of these are as follows:

• Boats
• Surfboards
• Tuyauterie
• Insulation
• Swimming pool
• Automobile
• Insulation
• Storage and septic tanks

Conclusion

Fiberglass is used in many applications and has been a versatile choice due to its excellent properties. If you are also looking forward to using fiberglass in your applications and require custom fiberglass components manufactured, we at DEK can help you.

FAQ

Is fiberglass strong enough?

Yes, fiberglass is quite a strong material and hence is opted in structural applications.

Is fiberglass harmful to humans?

Yes, sometimes it may trigger allergic reactions among humans.

Why is it an important material in manufacturing?

Fiberglass is opted as a very common material in manufacturing because it offers excellent strength, is light in weight and also offers resistance against chemicals, impact and even corrosion.