Glass Fiber

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Contents 1 Facts about Glass 2 History 3 Major Fiber Properties 4 Production Method 5 Producers of Glass-related Fiber Products by Company and Country 6 Trade Names 7 Uses and products made from glass fibers 7.1 Aerospace 7.2 Automotive, land transportation, marine 7.3 Construction and Architecture 7.4 Electrical equipment 7.5 Nonwoven Fabrics 7.6 Industrial and home use 7.7 Sports 8 Care 9 Notes 10 Bibliography 11 External Links 12 See also

[edit] Facts about Glass

Glass is defined by the United States Federal Trade Commission as, "Glass — a manufactured fiber in which the fiber forming substance is glass.” ^[1] There is a distinct difference between Glass Fibers and Fiberglass. Fiberglass is only one product that can be made from glass fibers. Glass fibers can be used in not only fiberglass, but also draperies, clothing, and other industrial applications.

Each year 4,000 million pounds (1,818 tonnes) of glass are used per year. The market for glass is growing, while the inventories are low, and prices are high. This means that some companies are using less glass in their products, resulting in a lower quality product. ^[2]

Glass can be categorized as a manmade mineral fiber, or MMMF. Producing these fibers requires the methods of "drawing, a combination of blowing and centrifugal force, and flame attenuation”. The methods listed will "determine fiber size and the probability of occurrence of fibers within the respirable range." ^[3] It is important to note that studies are being undertaken to determine the health risks associated with occupational exposure to MMMF, but the results will not be available for the time being. Therefore, "industrial products must now, as far as possible, be proved safer rather than accepted as safe until proved otherwise”. ^[4]

Glass is also a high-tech fiber, which includes carbon and ceramic fibers. ^[5]

Glass can be recycled and used again.

[edit] History

Glass fibers have been made and used since ancient times by the Phoenicians. However, it was not until the 1920s that glass was first used commercially.

[edit] Major Fiber Properties

Glass fibers have many strong and desirable properties.

• Incombustible
• "Short term heat resistance at 800 degrees Fahrenheit (427^oC)"
• "Thermal stability at 600 degrees Fahrenheit (316^oC) for 100 hours"
• Heavy
• Nonabsorbent
• Resistant to sunlight
• Rot and mildew resistance Texcel Co., Ltd.
• "Most chemicals have little or no effect on glass fiber. Glass fibers are affected by hydrofluoric, hot phosphoric acids, and strong alkaline substances". Hexcel Corporation
• Does not stretch or shrink
• High tensile strength of 9.6 grams/denier when dry and 6.7 grams/denier when wet
• "100% elastic recovery when stressed close to its point of rupture" Hexcel Corporation

However, it might be a possible carcinogen.

[edit] Production Method

Glass contains five different ingredients, those are:

• Sand
• Silica
• Limestone
• Feldspar
• Boric Acid

Then the above mentioned ingredients are heated to 2,400˚F (1,316^oC), in large a furnace, where the ingredients melt and start to fuse together. Two different types of fibers can be created, filament and staple fibers. In the creation of both fibers, there are holes in the bottoms of the melting chambers, to allow the fibers to escape. For filament fibers, the fine streams of liquid glass comes out the bottom of the melting chambers, and are carried down through holes in the floor, to a winder room. The winder room revolves faster than the glass comes down from the furnace. This strengthens the fibers and reduces them to the appropriate size needed for end production use. The creation of staple fibers is a little different. The glass still comes out in fine streams from the melting chamber. However, in staple fibers, jets of high pressure air or steam break those fine streams in to shorter fibers, eight to ten inches (20 to 25 cm) in length.

[edit] Producers of Glass-related Fiber Products by Company and Country

• Beta Fiberglas by Owens Corning Fiberglas Corporation
• Johns Manville-producer of Illuma White; a facer for ceiling tiles with a pre-applied white coating, Duracore SF Plus; a fire-rated wallboard made from chopped fiberglass, and nonwoven glass mats, as well as roofing and flooring.
• Clark-Schwebel fiberglass business
• Schuller Filtration
• Elk Corporation
• Unitika
• EDANA-producer of Solaris, a paper substitute
• Culzean Fabrics-producers of "leaf springs and suspension devices for trailer trucks and trains”. (30)
• Burton Company-producer of Burton Snowboard
• Solar Integrated Technologies and Coatema-producers of photovoltaic (PV) roofing membranes
• BSN Medical-producer of "non-fraying and non-irritant glass fiber orthopedic bindings for broken bones”. ^[6]

• United States-manufacturer of S-2 glass fibers. The U.S. has continued to stay competitive in the field of fiberglass production, which was started there, alongside companies within the European Union and Japan.
• Russia-manufacturer of Vertex; a high strength glass fiber ^[7]
• France, Germany, and the United Kingdom; leading producers of high performance composites.

[edit] Trade Names

• Fiberglas

• Beta glass

• Chemglass

• J-M fiberglass

• PPG fiberglass

• Vitron

• E-glass

• Vetrotex RN glass fibers-used in conjunction with Cyanamide CYCOM 4102 polyester resin impreg as a woven fabric to be "evaluated for structural armor applications," where the "mechanical and ballistic properties of the fabric were compared with military standards." (14)

• Borosilicate glass

[edit] Uses and products made from glass fibers

Related fields of glass fiber use:

[edit] Aerospace

• Space suits
• "Laminates based on polybenzimidazole and 1581-994S glass fabric," "have applications in the manufacture of laminates and adhesives for nose fairing, thermal insulation, aircraft leading edge, re-entry nose cones, radomes, de-icer ducts, and other components in which high temperature resistance is required." ^[8]

[edit] Automotive, land transportation, marine

• Reinforcement fiber (boats, cars, airplane parts, repair for bridges and highways)

[edit] Construction and Architecture

• Noise abatement
• Good for places that fire is a problem
• Fire protection
• Temp control
• Air purification
• Insulation, roofing materials, and filters
• Safety Glass and windows

[edit] Electrical equipment

• Optical Fibers
• Low loss infrared fibers; used in "medical and industrial sensor and laser power delivery systems”. ^[9]
• Glass fiber reinforced circuit boards

[edit] Nonwoven Fabrics

• Not good for everyday apparel, but highly useful for antiballistic and protective apparel
• Flame retardant draperies (Because of the weight special rods may be needed)
• Ironing board covers
• Mattress covers for hotels, dorms, and hospitals
• Glass nonwoven mattresses
• Knitted insect screen cloth

[edit] Industrial and home use

• Ropes and cables
• Display screens
• Food product containers
• Dinnerware
• Various bottles, dishes, jars, glasses, vases, pitchers
• Picture Frames

[edit] Sports

• Pole vaulting poles-ANF Pacer III
• Fishing rods
• Snowboards
• Tennis rackets

[edit] Care

A product of glass fiber does not need to be cleaned that often, when cleaning is needed simply wipe with a damp cloth. Machine wash, dry cleaning, and hand washing is not recommended because of the frailty of glass fiber products. It is very easy to break glass fibers even if you cannot see damage to the cloth, any tiny broken fibers can cause skin irritation. There is no need to iron, just smooth and dry. In addition, unlike other fibers, washing glass fiber products will not whiten or brighten the fabric.

[edit] Notes

1. ^ Kadolph, Sara J., and Anna L. Langford. Textiles Ninth Edition. New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 1998
2. ^ Top U.S. Monthly Imports. Nonwovens Markets, April 14, 2006, Vol. 21 Issue 7, p4-5, 2p; (AN 20711672)
3. ^ Process for Making Optical Fibers from Core and Cladding Glass Rods. By: Sanghera J.. Process for Making Optical Fibers from Core & Cladding Glass Rods., August 12, 1996, 27p; (AN TDH0615284199804133)
4. ^ "Manmade Mineral Fiers: What Needs to be Known and Done." By: Gilson J. C.. Annals of Occupational Hygiene, Oct. 1977, Vol. 20, p175; (AN TDH0377917197917917)
5. ^ Sophisticated Fibers. By: Luke, John E.. Textile World, Jul/Aug 2005, Vol. 155 Issue 7, p28-31, 4p, 3c; (AN 17734274)
6. ^ FIBER GLASS: A DREAM FIBER FOR A DREAM CENTURY. FIBER GLASS: A DREAM FIBER FOR A DREAM CENTURY., 1980, 39p; (AN TDH0418233198202103)
7. ^ Analysis of Russian Vertex High-Strength Glass Fiber. By: Spurgeon W. A.. Analysis of Russian Vertex High-Strength Glass Fiber., Sept. 1999, 51p; (AN TDH0632825200002474)
8. ^ Evaluation of Polybenzimidazole Glass-Fabric Laminates. By: Mackay H. A.. Evaluation of Polybenzimidazole Glass-Fabric Laminates., Jan. 1966, 7p; (AN TDH0609727199708176)
9. ^ LOW LOSS CHALCOGENIDE GLASS INFRARED FIBERS. By: Tran D. C.. LOW LOSS CHALCOGENIDE GLASS INFRARED FIBERS., Sept. 1989, 25p; (AN TDH0566164199303154)

[edit] Bibliography

• "Big Lift". High Performance Textiles, Jan. 1986, Vol. 6 Issue 7; (AN TDH0495605198605850)
• Carraher Jr., Charles E.; "General Topics" Polymer News, May 2005, Vol. 30 Issue 5, p155-157, 3p; (AN 17230112)
• "Circuit Board Advances." Future Materials, Mar.-Apr. 2002, p25, 2p; (AN TDH0654796200205245)
• Conroux J.-J.; "Technology and Production of Manmade Mineral Fibers" Annals of Occupational Hygiene, Oct. 1977, Vol. 20, p153; (AN TDH0376746197916746)
• Conroux J.-J.; "Technical Textiles in 1998." TUT: Textiles a l'Usage Technique, 1st Quarter 1999, Vol. 1 Issue 31, p14, 2p; (AN TDH0625846199905095)
• Dempsey E.; Solutions for the 1990s -- A Japanese Perspective -- UNITIKA. ITS Textile Leader, Fall 1992 Issue 11, p26; (AN TDH0563164199300622)
• "Dip-coated insect screening." Advances in Textiles Technology, Feb 2006, p2-3, 2p; (AN 19884605)
• Fiber Glass: A Dream Fiber for a Dream Century 1980, 39p; (AN TDH0418233198202103)
• Finnie T. A.; "Profile of Springs Industries" Textile Outlook International, May 1996 Issue 65, p9, 24p; (AN TDH0597901199606128)
• Glass Reinforced Diallylbisphenol/Maleimide Composites with Modified Interphases, July 15, 1994, 5p; (AN TDH0585612199503418)
• Haskell W. E.. High-Strength Glass Second Source Qualification to Composite Armor Specification MIL-L-46197., Apr. 1992, 18p; (AN TDH0563143199300240)
• "Innovations in Fibers, Technical Textiles, Apparel and Machinery." Technical Textile Markets, 3rd/4th Quarter 2004 Issue 58/59, p96-125, 30p; (AN 16337418)
• "Innovations in Non-woven fabrics." (English) Vetir, Nov. 1981 Issue 11; Language: French; (AN TDH0432305198210394)
• "JM to Build Large Glass Mat Line in Tennessee." International Fiber Journal, Dec 2005, Vol. 20 Issue 6, p40-40, 1/3p; (AN 19534943)
• "JM Upgrades Chopped Fiberglass Offerings." Nonwovens Industry, Dec 2004, Vol. 35 Issue 12, p18-18, 1/9p; (AN 15531694)
• Luke, John E.; "Sophisticated Fibers". Textile World, Jul/Aug 2005, Vol. 155 Issue 7, p28-31, 4p, 3c; (AN 17734274)
• Lukes J. J.; Industry & Trade Summary: Fiberglass Products, Mar. 1994, 33p; (AN TDH0619215199808064)
• Mackay H. A.. Evaluation of Polybenzimidazole Glass-Fabric Laminates., Jan. 1966, 7p; (AN TDH0609727199708176)
• Manmade Mineral Fibers: Report of a Working Party to teh Advisory Committee on Toxic Substances 1979, 35p; (AN TDH0381317198001317)
• Morris G.D.; "Defense Cuts Shoot Down Performance Fibers." Chemical Week, January 22, 1992, Vol. 150 Issue 3; (AN TDH0555017199201598)
• O'Mahony, Marie; "The Advanced Fabrics Exhibition" Industrial Fabric Products Review, Dec 2005, Vol. 90 Issue 13, p65-75, 11p, 17c; (AN 19286246)
• "PV Roofing Membranes". Future Materials, Nov/Dec 2005, Vol. 2005 Issue 6, p25-25, 1/4p, 1c; (AN 19514795)
• "Rapid reaction." Nonwovens Report International, Aug 2005, p18-19, 2p, 3c; (AN 17967502)
• "Sea change in boatbuilding." WSA: Performance & Sports Materials, Nov/Dec 2004, Vol. 10 Issue 6, p16-20, 5p; (AN 15458616)
• "Springing into Action." Future Materials, Nov.-Dec. 2002, p21, 1p; (AN TDH0660596200301445)
• Spurgeon W. A.; Analysis of Russian Vertex High-Strength Glass Fiber., Sept. 1999, 51p; (AN TDH0632825200002474)
• Sundar R. A. & Mathias L. J.; Glass Reinforced Diallylbisphenol/Maleimide Composites with Modified Interphases.
• "Studies in Black and White." HFN: Home Furnishings News, February 13, 2006, Vol. 80 Issue 7, p10-10, 1p, 3c; (AN 19820336)
• "Top U.S. Monthly Imports" Nonwovens Markets, April 14, 2006, Vol. 21 Issue 7, p4-5, 2p; (AN 20711672)
• Tran D. C.; Low Loss Chalcogenide Glass Infrared Fibers, Sept. 1989, 25p; (AN TDH0566164199303154)
• Wuagneux E. L.; "Glass - A Market on the Cutting Edge." Nonwovens Industry, August 1995, Vol. 26 Issue 8, p30, 5p; (AN TDH0589489199507295)

[edit] External Links

• Texcel Co., Ltd.
• Hexcel Corporation

[edit] See also

• Glass
• Fiberglass