glass fibre
Fiberglass is an inorganic non-metallic fiber made of glass as raw material and melted and drawn at high temperature, usually with a diameter of 5-25 microns. Its core features are:
Core advantages
High strength
a higher specific strength (strength/density ratio) than steel
Insulation
Excellent electrical insulation and thermal insulation performance
Corrosion resistance
acid and alkali resistance, weather resistance far exceeds that of metals
Design feasibility
The performance can be flexibly adjusted through weaving, compounding, and other methods
core performance
Characteristic | Numerical/Performance | Comparison (vs. Carbon Fiber) |
Tensile Strength | Approximately 3620 MPa | Below carbon fiber (5000+MPa) |
Density | 1.44 g/cm³ | Lighter than carbon fiber (1.75-2.0 g/cm ³) |
Impact Resistance | Extremely strong (high energy absorption capacity) | Far superior to carbon fiber (carbon fiber has higher brittleness) |
High Temperature Resistance | Long term temperature resistance of about 200 ° C | Below carbon fiber (can withstand temperatures above 500 ° C) |
Resistant to cutting/puncture | Top tier (for bulletproof vests) | Carbon fiber is easily damaged by sharp objects |
Classification of fiberglass
1. Classified by components
type | Ingredient characteristics: | Key performance benefits | Typical Applications |
E-fiberglass | Alkali-free aluminosilicate | Electrically insulating is optimal | Circuit boards, wind turbine blades |
C-fiberglass | High calcium sodium silicate | Chemically resistant | Chemical storage tanks, acid filters |
S-fiberglass | High magnesium aluminosilicate | 30% stronger than E-glass | Spacecraft parts, bulletproof armor |
AR – fiberglass | Alkali-resistant glass with zirconium | Resistant to alkaline erosion of cement | Concrete Reinforcing Reinforcement (GFRP) |
2. Classify by form
Continuous fibers
used to weave cloth and wind pressure vessels
Chopped fibers (6-50mm)
reinforced plastics (e.g. car bumpers).
Glass wool
thermal insulation and sound insulation material
Key performance parameters
Performance metrics | Typical (E-glass) | Comparison Reference (Steel) |
Tensile strength | 3,450 MPa | Steel: approx. 500 MPa |
density | 2.54 g/cm³ | Steel: 7.85 g/cm³ |
Elastic modulus | 72 GPa | Steel: 200 GPa |
Coefficient of thermal expansion | 5×10⁻⁶/°C | Steel: 12×10⁻⁶/°C |
Dielectric strength | 10-20 kV/mm | Polyethylene: 50 kV/mm |
Detailed explanation of application fields
The two are often used in combination to complement each other’s performance
Composite reinforcement (more than 70%)
GFRP (Glass Fiber Reinforced Plastic):
Automotive: bumpers, battery boxes (50% lighter than steel)
Ship: FRP hull (seawater corrosion resistant)
Wind power: blade main beam (E-glass + epoxy resin)
Electrical insulation
PCB substrate: FR-4 epoxy glass cloth laminate
High voltage insulators: arc resistance, aging resistance
Construction & Infrastructure
GRC (glass fiber reinforced concrete): curtain wall decorative panels (crack resistant).
Underground pipeline: FRP pipeline (life span up to 50 years).
High temperature filtration
Industrial filter bag: temperature resistant to 260°C (dust removal in coal-fired power plants).
Aerospace: Engine insulation (S-glass).
Consumer sector
Sports equipment: fishing rods, skis
Household items: bathtubs, furniture veneers
Comparison of glass fiber vs carbon fiber
characteristic | Fiberglass | Carbon fiber |
cost | $2-5/kg | $15-50/kg |
Tensile strength | 3,450 MPa | 5,000+ MPa |
Electrical conductivity | insulation | Conductive |
Impact resistance | Excellent (high toughness) | Poor (brittle) |
Typical Applications | Civil industrial parts | High-end aero/racing |
Development trends
High performance
Development of higher strength S-2 glass fibers
Environmentally friendly process
boron-free glass fiber (reduces melting energy consumption).
Recycling technology
chemical recycling of waste GFRP
Smart Composite
Glass Fiber + Sensor (Structural Health Monitoring).
summary
With the advantages of high cost performance and balanced performance, glass fiber has become the largest reinforcing fiber, with an annual global output of more than 5 million tons. Driven by the demand in the fields of wind power, automotive lightweight, and infrastructure, it will continue to evolve in the direction of high performance and green in the future.