Brief about glass fibers and types, properties and application of glass fibers

1. Glass
FIbers
by Zahid, Kiran

2. Table of contents
Introduction Manufacturing
Spinning methods
Definition
classification
Application
Properties
Physical and chemical
01 02
03 04

3. A Glass fibre or Fibre glass can be
defined as “ A material consisting of
extremely fine filaments of glass that are
combined in yarn and woven into
fabrics, used in masses as a thermal and
acoustical insulator, or embedded in
various resins to make boat hulls, fishing
rods, and the like.”
1. General-purpose glass fibers
2. Special-Purpose Glass Fibers.
Glass fibers

4. Types of glass fibers
A Glass: Contains 72% silica. High Alkali Glass containing (25% Soda and lime). Is
transparent easily formed and most suitable for window glass. Poor resistance to
heat (500–600 °C). Used for windows, containers, light bulbs, tableware.
C Glass: Chemical glass— Sodium borosilicate glass (alkali-lime glass) with high
boron oxide content, improved durability, making it preferred composition for
applications requiring corrosion resistance. Used for glass staple fibres possesses
D glass: Borosilicate glasses with improved dielectric strength and low density,
developed for improved electrical performance.
E Glass: An electrically resistant glass fibre. Alumina-calcium-borosilicate glasses.
Constitutes the majority of glass fibre production. Used in glass

5. Types of glass fibers
ECR Glass: Calcium aluminosilicate glasses Modified “E” glass having superior long
term resistance to strain crack corrosion in acid conditions.
AR Glass: High Quality Alkali resistant glasses composed of alkali zirconium
silicates used in cement substrates and concrete.
R Glass: Calcium aluminosilicate glasses High-strength, high-modulus glass at a
lower cost than “S”.
S & S2Glass: Magnesium aluminosilicate glasses (40% higher than E-
glass)developed for aerospace applications.
E:electrical=Low electrical conductivity, S:strength=High strength, C:chemical=High chemical durability, M:modulus=High stiffness,
A:alkali= High alkali or soda lime glass, D:dielectric=Low dielectric constant

6. 2. Melting and
extrusion of
glass
1. Preparation
of glass
marbles
3. Filament or
staple fiber
formation
2.Fiber formation

7. Preparation of glass
marbles
Batch
calculation
according to
type of glass
Mixing for
homogeneity
and uniformity
Melting
Solidified into
marbles of
diameter 2cm
Inspection for
defects

8. Melting and extrusion of
glass
Extruded through small orifices
for the thread formation
at 800 deg C
or above
depending
upon the
type of glass
Marbles
transferred
to spinning
unit
Melted in
electrical
furnace

9. Filament or staple fiber
formation
1. Continuous-filament process: A long, continuous fiber can be produced
through the continuous-filament process. After the glass flows through the
holes in the bushing, multiple strands are caught up on a high-speed winder.
The winder revolves at about 2 miles (3 km) a minute, much faster than the rate
of flow from the bushings. The tension pulls out the filaments while still molten,
forming strands a fraction of the diameter of the openings in the bushing. A
chemical binder is applied, which helps keep the fiber from breaking during
later processing. The filament is then wound onto tubes. It can now be twisted
and plied into yarn.

10. Filament or staple fiber
formation
1. Staple-fiber process: An alternative method is the staple fiber process. As the
molten glass flows through the bushings, jets of air rapidly cool the filaments.
The turbulent bursts of air also break the filaments into lengths of 8-15 inches
(20-38 cm). These filaments fall through a spray of lubricant onto a revolving
drum, where they form a thin web. The web is drawn from the drum and pulled
into a continuous strand of loosely assembled fibers. This strand can be
processed into yarn by the same processes used for wool and cotton.

14. 3.Properties

15. Cont.…
1. Absorbency: Glass fibers are water repellent, which makes them unsuitable for
clothing because perspiration will not be absorbed, leaving the wearer feeling
clammy. On the plus side, because the material is not affected by water, it will not
shrink.
2. Resilience: Because there is no elasticity, there is little extension and recovery
inherent to the fabrics. Therefore, they require a finish to make them resistant to
creases.
3. Strength: Glass fiber is extremely strong, almost as strong as Kevlar. However,
when the fibers rub against each other, they will break and cause the fabric to take
on a hairy appearance. This process occurs on curtains that rub against window
sills.

16. Cont.…
4. Insulating: In staple form, glass fibers are excellent insulators because air is
trapped between the fibers.
5. Draping: The fibers have excellent draping properties, which makes them highly
suitable for curtains.
6. Resistance: Glass fibers are highly resistant to heat – they can withstand
temperatures up to 315⁰C before losing their strength or soften at 732⁰C. They are
not affected by sunlight, bleaches, bacteria, mildew, insects or alkalis.

17. Cont.…
7. Susceptible: Glass fibers are affected by hydrofluoric acid and hot phosphoric
acids. Because the fibers are glass base products, some raw forms of glass fibers
should be handled with care e.g. household insulation, as the ends of the fibers are
brittle they can aggravate the skin and can embed into cuts so are potentially
harmful; gloves should be worn when handling glass fibers.
Fiber is extremely dense, having density of 2.5 to 2.6
Moisture regain of fiber is maximum 0.5% or lesser
The tenacity in dry state varies from 6 to 10 g/d which reduces to 5 to 8 g/d when wet.
The breaking elongation is only 3 to 4%
Poor abrasion resistance
The fiber softens, melt and does not burn upon heating

18. Automotive
The automobile industry is one
of the largest users of glass
fibre. Polymer matrix
composites containing glass
fibers are used to make
external body panels, bumper
beams, pultruded body panels
and airducts, engine
components, etc. Parts made
are much lighter than metallic
ones, making the automobile
more fuel efficient.

19. Aerospace
Glass fiber reinforced composites are
used to make aircraft parts such as
wings, helicopter rotor blades,
engine ducts etc. glass fiber has a
relatively low elastic modulus. Hence
it is more common to use glass fiber
reinforced polymer composites in
the interior of an air plane rather
than in primary structural parts. The
radar transparency characteristics of
glass has given it some key uses in
the radar evading stealth
technologies.

20. Marine
Sailing boats and
hulls and decks of commercial
fishing boats and military mine
hunters are frequently made of
glass fiber reinforced polymers.
Glass fiber reinforced polyester
is commonly used in making
boats of all sizes.

21. Sporting goods
The sporting goods industry
was one of the first to make use
of glass fiber reinforced
composites. Examples include
bicycle frames, tennis, rackets,
golf club shafts, cricket bats,
skis, etc.

22. Electrical and
electronics
Glass fibers are used
extensively in printed circuit
boards, industrial circuit
breakers, conduits for power
cables. etc.

23. Civil
Typical applications include the
use of glass fibers in polymeric
resins for paneling, bathtubs and
shower stalls, doors, windows etc.
glass fibers are also used as
reinforcement in a variety of
house hold items such as paper,
tapes, lampshades etc. Some
special alkali resistant glass fibers
have been developed for
reinforcement of cement and
concrete. Commonly steel bars
are used for such purposes.

24. ● https://www.academia.edu/7463236/GLASS_Fibres_manufacturing_properties_
and_applications
● https://www.asminternational.org/documents/10192/1849770/06781G_p27-
34.pdf
● https://www.amazon.in/Textbook-Fibre-Science Technology/dp/8122412505
● http://www.madehow.com/Volume-2/Fiberglass.html
● https://www.textileblog.com/fiberglass-properties-manufacturing/
List of references

25. Thank you