The Different Types and Forms of Fiberglass and How ...

15 Jul.,2024

 

The Different Types and Forms of Fiberglass and How ...

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Fiberglass is a type of fiber-reinforced plastic where glass fiber is the reinforced plastic. That is why fiberglass is sometimes known as glass fiber reinforced plastic or glass reinforced plastic.

Glass fibers can be comprised of different types of glass. Flattened into a sheet, the glass fiber is randomly arranged or woven into a fabric. Fiberglass is lightweight, strong and less brittle.

One of the most appealing features of fiberglass is that it can be molded into different shapes. This explains why fiberglass is widely used in construction, civil engineering, commercial and residential products, aircraft, roofing, and sporting equipment.

At the end of the 18th century, glass fiber was discovered by French scientist Rene Ferchault de Reaumur though it was left largely on the back burner. A German glass blower was recorded to have made a piece of cloth by weaving silk fibers in one direction with glass fibers in the other.

In , at the Chicago world fair, Edward D. Libbey &#; from Libbey Glass Company &#; showcased a dress made of that cloth. For demonstration purposes only, the dress tended to break when folded and weighed 13.5 pounds.

Clothing aside, glass fibers offered potential for a number of uses though at that time, they were not completely flexible. There was also no way of mass producing these glass fibers.

Fortunately in the s, Illinois-based Owens-Illinois Glass Company discovered a process to produce air filters made of glass fiber for ventilating equipment. These air filters were more efficient than the cotton material used for the same purpose.

Also, these glass fiber air filters were inexpensive and could be discarded when they became clogged. Owens-Illinois was a steady seller of these air filters for decades with the widespread use of air conditioning.

Fiberglass behaves like regular glass:

  • It does not absorb moisture
  • It does not mold nor mildew

  • It is non-conductive

  • It does not rust, shrink, expand, or burn

Several decades and many discoveries later, Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) products are used to make items like rotor blades for windmills and helicopters, components for commercial and military aircraft, parts for vehicles and even trucks.

FRPs are used in sports and recreational equipment such as surfboards, snow skis, bicycles and sports gear like athletic shoes. The flexibility of FRPs produced in a process of manufacturing known as pultrusion means that profiles with flowing shapes can be created. This means that if the desired product can be modeled, it can be built.

The prices of traditional materials such as steel and wood have tended to increase while and the cost of FRP materials are on the decline. Also, manufacturing processes have improved over the years, becoming more efficient. For industries, FRP products are more economical year by year.

Previously, many of the FRP products needed to be painted as they tended to be translucent. Currently, manufacturers can spray a coat of gel before laying up the glass mats and resin. An innovative method of production known as pultrusion pulls strands of glass fiber through vats of resin into a heated die.

In this process of manufacturing stiff or flexible, customizable profiles can be produced and formed. These include rods, window reinforcements, tree stakes and driveway markers or any profile with a constant cross section such as an I-beam.

 

Types

of Fiberglass: 

Fiberglass can be broadly categorized into different forms, each of which is used for different applications:

  • A-glass: Also known as alkali glass. A-glass fiber is resistant to chemicals and has some similarities to window glass. Outside of the United States, it is used to make process equipment.
  • C-glass: Also known as chemical glass. C-glass offers great resistance to chemical impact.
  • E-glass: Also called electrical glass. E-glass is an excellent insulator of electricity.
  • AE-glass: Alkali resistant glass.
  • S-glass: Also known as structural glass. S-glass is used for its mechanical properties.

Attributes of Fiberglass

High tensile strength: In thermal load-bearing projects, fiberglass rebars are as strong as steel when it comes to reaching a buckling point. They maintain their integrity and do not corrode when used in harsh environments.

In a study on FRP rebar used in construction for the reduction of thermal bridges, load-bearing fiberglass rebar had a higher longitudinal tensile strength and lower module of elasticity and density in contrast with steel (550 MPa and 200GPa for steel compared to MPa and 50GPa for fiberglass rebar).

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  • Electrical insulation: Fiberglass has excellent electrical insulation properties.

  • Non-combustible: It is not combustible. It does not propagate or support a flame. When exposed to heat, it does not emit smoke or give off toxic chemicals.

  • Dimensional stability: Fiberglass does not warp, bend or distort as it has a low coefficient of linear expansion.

  • Does not rot: Fiberglass maintains its integrity and is not impacted by the action of rodents and insects.

  • Thermal conductivity: Fiberglass is popular in building and construction as it has low thermal conductivity.

Applications of Fiberglass in Industries

Fiberglass is durable, safe and offers high thermal insulation. It not only provides better insulation and is fiberglass is widely used in industries given below:

  • Manufacturing: Fiberglass grating has an embedded grit surface for slip resistance in wet areas or in places where hydraulic fluids or oils are present.

  • Metals and mining: Fiberglass is used to make grating especially in areas that are exposed to chemical corrosion.

  • Power generation: Many areas of the power generation industry like tank farms, scrubbers, and others use fiberglass as it has non-conductive properties.

  • Automotive industry: Fiberglass is extensively used in automobile industry to make vehicle and body kits and components.

  • Aerospace & Defense: Fiberglass is used to manufacture parts for both military and civilian aerospace industry including test equipment, ducting, enclosures, and others.

  • Docks and marinas: Fiberglass does not get corroded, rusted and damaged by salty watery environments.

  • Fountains and aquariums: Fiberglass is used to support rocks to help in circulation and filtering from under the rocks. Where there are large public fountains, fiberglass grating is used to protect spray headers and lights from damage. This also helps to prevent people from drowning in the fountains.

  • Pulp and paper: Fiberglass has chemical corrosion resistant properties and is used in many applications because of its corrosion resistance and anti-slip properties.

Talk to Us

Tencom works with designers, builders, and manufacturers to realize a wide range of design possibilities. Our team of experienced specialist engineers is dedicated to helping you customize and implement your design in the manufacturing process. Contact us today.

Molded Vs. Pultruded Fiberglass Grating: Which is Best?

Fiberglass grating is a composite material which is produced by a combination of resin and fiberglass. Fiberglass grating does not corrode or rust as steel grating does and, as such, it finds use in corrosive environments to decrease maintenance costs. It is used in a broad range of applications such as walkways and overhead platforms as it can be weight-bearing between spans.

Fiberglass composite materials are being used in place of traditional materials in many areas with major-asset owners innovating and increasing the application of these materials.

What is Molded Fiberglass Grating?

Molded fiberglass grating is made up of alternating directional layers of continuous glass fiber for fortitude. This is in addition to resin, which consolidates fibers and makes up the shape and corrosion-resistance. Because the strength is bidirectional, molded grating can withstand cutouts in the panel for equipment without the need for additional support around the opening.

Molded fiberglass grating has extremely high impact tolerance and has excellent chemical resistance. It is also highly slip resistant, an attribute which can be enhanced by the addition of grit.

What is Pultruded Fiberglass Grating?

Pultruded fiberglass grating is made up of continuous glass strands which are enclosed in resin and wrapped in a surfacing veil to safeguard the fibers whilst allowing resin to saturate the outermost section of the bar and penetrate between glass fibers.

This process means that a smooth and corrosion-resistant surface can be achieved with a favorable glass/resin ratio. Individual bars are assembled with cross bars and epoxy to mechanically fuse the load bars.

Pultruded fiberglass grating possesses unidirectional strength and has much higher glass content than molded fiberglass grating. This means that it has higher span capability and is often used for applications which need heavier loading or larger spans.

Uses of Fiberglass Grating

Fiberglass grating can be used in many different applications, particularly when there are safety concerns because of liquids or oils on the floor as well as in corrosive environments which require chemical resistance.

Some of the applications which are well-suited to fiberglass grating are:

  • Protective shielding
  • Machinery housing
  • Walkways
  • Raised floors and stairways
  • Platforms

Some industries are well suited to molded fiberglass, such as:

  • Food processing plants
  • Commercial aquariums
  • Bottling lines
  • Chemical plants
  • Lubricant oil facilities
  • Pulp and paper plants
  • Beverage canning facilities

Fiberglass Grating Solutions from Strongwell

At Strongwell, we provide both molded and pultruded fiberglass grating solutions. DURAGRATE® is our molded fiberglass grating offering with a high-quality mesh grating panel. DURAGRATE® is exclusively made in the U.S.A., fire retardant, low in conductivity, light weight, impact resistant, cost effective, and easy to install. This fiberglass grating is fully compatible with FGMC standards.

DURADEK® and DURAGRID® are our high strength pultruded bar grating brands which can be used in a similar way to traditional metal grates of molded fiberglass grating with the addition of inherent pultrusion benefits. This pultruded fiberglass grating works well as a substitute for aluminum or steel gratings where avoiding frequent replacement costs would be beneficial.

DURADEK® is offered in a limited number of colors and configuration whilst strategically producing stock quantities so Strongwell can keep costs at a more comparable price to traditional molded grating. This means it is a more viable, cost-effective alternative without compromising the benefits. DURAGRID® is a fully-customizable grating series when bespoke configurations or performance characteristics are desired.

Pultruded and molded fiberglass grating options can both be provided by Strongwell. If you would like our expert advice on which type would suit your application, contact us today. Alternatively, read our five tips on FRP grating selection for more insights.

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