Fiberglass can be used to manufacture household items, with the amount of raw material used determining the type. Fiberglass is made from various raw materials, including silica sand, soda ash, limestone, borax, calcined alumina, magnesite, kaolin clay, and feldspar.
Types of Fiberglass
1. A-Glass
It is also known as alkali or soda-rime grass, and it is the most common type of fiberglass, accounting for approximately 90% of total produced fibreglasses. Bottles, jars, and windows are some examples. This type of fiberglass is inexpensive, chemically stable, and tough. They can also be re-melted and reused.
Types of A-glass
-A flat glass
-Glass container
Flat glasses are produced using the float process, whereas container glasses are produced using the blow method. The quantity and composition of raw materials differ between the two types.
2. C-Glass
Because of the presence of calcium borosilicate in the material, they are also known as chemical glass and are used to protect against corrosive conditions. c-grass is used to make pipes and tanks.
3. D-Glass
D-glass contains boron trioxide and has a low dielectric constant; it also contains borosilicate, which gives it a low thermal expansion efficiency. They are used to manufacture optical cables, electric appliances, and cookware.
4. E-Glass
Because of its lightweight, E-glass, also known as electric grass, is used to manufacture parts for aerospace and marine equipment. They are extremely simple to clean. They are primarily designed for electric appliances but can be used as reinforcement in thermosetting resin-based plastics. They are robust and are used to protect against mechanical impact.
5. HR-Glass
HR-glass can be used in place of E-glass because it is an aluminosilicate material with a thermal resistance of up to 800℃.
6. Glass Fibre Advantex
These fibers made from ECR glass are corrosion-resistant and have a high melting point. Fiberglass of this type is used in the oil, gas, and mining industries.
7. Glass ECR
They are waterproof and corrosion-resistant electronic glass fibers. They are made of calcium aluminosilicates, which allow them to be electrically conductive. It is resistant to water and acid and is extremely long-lasting. The price is lower than that of other fiberglass materials.
8. AR-Glass
This is alkali-resistant glass; it can be used to make concrete when combined with Zirconia and hard ceramics. lt is both strong and malleable.
9. R-Glass, S-Glass, and T-Glass
These glasses have high acidic strength and wetting properties when combined. Fiberglass is an expensive material used in the military and aerospace industries.
10. S2-Glass
This is the highest quality fiberglass; it contains silica. lt has a high tensile strength that is 85 percent greater than that of other types of fiberglass. lt is extremely long-lasting.
11. SiO2-Glass
It is long-lasting fiberglass with over 10000℃ temperature resistance. lt is an amorphous tetrahedral glass. lt is a one-of-a-kind new-generation fiberglass.
12. M-Glass
Because this fiberglass is reinforced with silicone, it can withstand high pressure. M-glass has higher dimensional stability due to its densely aligned fibers, which increases its strength. Because of the presence of beryllium, M-glass is elastic.
13. Z-Glass
UV rays, acids, salts. wear, temperature, and scratches are all resistant to M-glass. lt is long-lasting and semi-transparent. Z-glass is used in the automotive industry to replace the brittle glass.
Fiberglass Forms
1. Tow and Roving Fiberglass
This type of fiberglass is packed in spools, which are used as filament winders and are stored under tension so that it does not lose its mechanical properties.
2. Veil Mat
This type of fiber is looped in a roll and held together with a light binder. They can be used behind a mold’s surface coating.
3. Chopped Strand Mat
This form is typically a few inches long. They are usually not very strong, but they are isotropic. They are the least expensive and most widely used.
4. Woven Material
They are very strong yarn-like bundles. There are various types of woven fabric; Plain weave fabrics are the least pliable, but they are the most common type of woven fabric. Twill and Satin’s weaves have greater strength than plain weaves, are more pliable, and easily conform to complex designs.