company news about Five minutes to understand fiberglass

I. Definition and basic properties of glass fiber

1. Definition
  Glass Fiber (Glass Fiber) is silica (SiO₂) as the main raw material, add alumina, calcium oxide, boron oxide and other metal oxides, high-temperature melting and drawing of inorganic non-metallic materials. Its monofilament diameter of only a few microns to tens of microns (about 1/20-1/5 of a hair), with lightweight, high strength, corrosion resistance and other characteristics.
2. Core characteristics
  • Lightweight and high strength: density of 2.4-2.7 g/cm³, strength and steel, but the weight is only 1/4-1/568 of steel. 
  • High temperature resistance: softening point of 550-580 ℃, can be used for a long time in a high temperature environment.
  • Corrosion resistance: good resistance to acid, alkali, chemical solvents, suitable for chemical industry, environmental protection and other fields.
  • Insulation: non-alkali glass fiber (E glass fiber) is a high-quality electrical insulation material, widely used in electronic equipment substrates.
  • Low water absorption: low moisture absorption rate, good dimensional stability.

3. Challenges in mechanical properties
  The strength of glass fibres is affected by diameter, chemical composition and production process.The finer the diameter, the higher the strength, but wear resistance and folding resistance is poor, easy to fracture due to friction to form micron-sized debris, which may cause harm to the human body.

II. Production process and classification

1. Production process
  • Raw material treatment: quartz sand, limestone, dolomite and other ores are used as raw materials, which are cleaned, crushed and mixed well.
  • High-temperature melting: melted into glass liquid in the kiln above 1400℃, clarified, homogenised and then drawn through the leakage board.
  • Drawing and forming: the molten glass liquid flows out through the leakage hole, and is drawn and cooled into fibres at high speed, and the surface is coated with infiltrating agent to enhance the performance.
2. Classification
  • According to alkali content: divided into alkali-free, medium alkali, alkali resistant, etc., of which E glass fibre is the most widely used.
  • According to the form and length: divided into continuous fibre (long fibre), fixed length fibre (staple fibre) and glass wool.

III. Areas of application

1. Construction and building materials
  It is used for reinforcing concrete, heat-insulating materials, waterproofing membranes and so on, such as external wall insulation layer and sound insulation materials.
2. Transportation
  Lightweight automobile parts (body, brake pads), ship shells, high-speed rail structures, etc.
3. Electronics and Electricity
  As circuit substrate, transformer insulation material and reinforcement layer of high voltage cable.
4. Environmental protection and chemical industry
  Corrosion-resistant pipelines, sewage treatment equipment and high-temperature chimney lining.
5. Daily life
  Tent supports, umbrella frames, alloy chopsticks, net cables, etc. (be aware of the risk of breaking and releasing fibres)

IV. Safety Precautions

1. Potential Risks
  Glass fibres may form micron-sized fragments after breaking, penetrating the skin or mucous membranes, causing stinging or even remaining in the body.Case: A man in Ningbo had glass fibres pierce his eyes due to a broken courier package, which was difficult to remove completely.
2. Protection and Handling
  • Protective gloves and goggles are recommended for contact with the broken product.
  • If fibres are lodged in the skin, rinse with soapy water or tape surface debris; in serious cases, seek medical attention.

V. Future Development Trends

1. Light weight and high strength: replace metal materials in automobile and aviation fields, and promote energy saving and emission reduction.
2. Environmentally friendly and recyclable: develop biodegradable resin matrix composites to reduce environmental pollution.
3. Multi-functionality: expand to sports equipment, smart home and other emerging areas.