2. FIBRE GLASS
Composite material using resin as matrix
and glass fiber as reinforcement
Fiberglass is a lightweight, extremely
strong, and robust material. Fiberglass
combines its light weight with an inherent
strength to provide a weather resistant
finish with a variety of surface textures.
There are 4 methods by which
fiberglass can be made. They are:
Fiberglass hand lay-up operation
Fiberglass spray lay-up operation
4. Glass Fiber
Reinforcement
Properties
◦ Mechanical Properties
similar to glass but
different strength
value
◦ Chemical Stability
Susceptible to
alkaline solutions and
hot water
◦ Thermal Properties
High heat resistance
◦ Electrical Properties
insulator
Glass Fiber
Processing
5. Glass Fiber Processing
Raw Materials
Major
◦ Silica
◦ Limestone
◦ Soda Ash
◦ Waste glass
Others
◦ Calcined Alumina
◦ Borax
◦ Magnesite
6. Glass Fiber Processing
Batching
Batching - exact quantities of raw
materials are mixed together before
being melted.
Materials are added to lower the
working temperature and add
additional properties like
strength,increase melting temperature
and are alkali resistant.
7. Glass Fiber Processing
Melting
Common furnaces has three sections:
◦ Receiver
The batch is melted and uniformly. Bubbles are also
removed
High temperature (1400oC or 2552oF)
◦ Refiner-High temperature (1370oC or 2500oF)
◦ Fore hearth – beneath this is are bushings
8. Glass Fiber Processing
Fiberization
Extrusion
◦ Extruded through
200-8000 bushings
made of alloys.
◦ Bushings are heated
electronically to
maintain
temperature and
consequently, glass
viscosity and
thickness
Attenuation
◦ Drawing extruded
molten glass into
filaments using high-
speed winder
◦ High-speed winding
applies tension.
9. Glass Fiber Processing
Coating
3 common types:
◦ Lubricants – Protect filaments from
abrading and breaking
◦ Binders – binds resin to glass fiber
◦ Coupling agents – increase affinity for
specific resins
11. Glass Fiber Processing
Packaging
Continuous-filament
◦ Rolled in drums and formed into yarns
Staple-fiber
◦ while cooling, jets of air break filaments into
lengths of 8-15 inches
Chopped fiber
◦ Yarns are chopped into short, uniform
lengths
Glass wool
◦ Cooling involves a downward jet of (hot) air,
making the fibers fall randomly onto a
conveyor belt, forming a fleecy mass
17. Fiberglass Processing
Molding
Plug
◦ Object with desired shape
◦ Can be formed with foams, wood, plaster,
etc.
Mold
◦ Supports glass fibers during resin curing
Mold release agent
◦ E.g. Polyvinyl alcohol
Gelcoat
◦ Pigmented resin, harder, more durable finish
◦ Followed by a coating of a fiberglass
18. Fiberglass Processing
Molding
Lay-up
◦ Hand lay-up
Hand pressure/vacuum/rollers used to ensure
even resin application
◦ Spray lay-up
Resin and reinforcements are sprayed onto the
vertical mold
◦ Vacuum bag
Fiber and resin are sucked to conform to the
mold using a vacuum