Glass Fibers and Fiberglass Cloth

Glass fibers and fiberglass cloth consist of bulk, chopped fibers or continuous strands of glass. Glass fibers and fiberglass cloth is used in reinforcing plastics and composites as well as other specialized electrical and thermal applications.

Glass fibers and fiberglass cloth are frequently used to reinforce other plastic materials. Glass fiber reinforced plastic (GRP) or glass fiber reinforced epoxy (GRE) are commonly called fiberglass. The glass fiber used to create fiberglass material is made by extruding very thin strands of silica-based monofilament. Glass is a unique amorphous solid, meaning it doesn’t have an underlying crystalline structure in the solid state, but rather behaves like a very viscous liquid. Glass fiber lends itself to woven fabric because the thin fibers can easily bend. Fabric made of glass fibers has high tensile strength, dimensional stability, high heat and fire resistance, as well as resistance to many chemical compounds. Fiberglass fabric is also used to dissipate heat, and has electrical properties that make it useful in electronic components.

Glass fibers and fiberglass cloth are commonly used in composite construction, including materials used in boat building. Light weight fiberglass cloth is used with a resin to produce a waterproof surface. Heavier woven fiberglass fabric can be used for greater strength and rigidity. Fiberglass cloth is differentiated into two separate grades: e glass or e-glass is a lower grade of cloth while s glass or s-glass cloth is used for applications that require greater strength. E-glass fiberglass cloth is economical while s-glass grade fiberglass cloth offers 25-30% greater breaking strength than e-glass grade cloth. Fiberglass cloth tapes are often used with epoxies, polyester, and vinyl ester resins to seal seams and cracks.

Glass fibers and fiberglass cloth are also used to create combination or specialty fabrics. Glass fibers and fiberglass cloth may be combined with carbon fiber or aramid fibers to make laminates and moldable fabrics for canoes, kayaks, and other high strength, low weight applications.

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