Glass Reinforced Plastic

Glass Reinforced Plastic

Fiberglass is a generic term for a variety of materials comprising molded glass fibers. Glass fiber, or fibreglass, is the common type of fiber-based plastic with tiny glass fibers tightly packed together. The threads may be loosely twisted, flattened, or tightly woven into glass fiber cloth. These fibers have high tensile strength and are used for both industrial and household applications.

Fibreglass and glass fibers come in many different colors, thicknesses, shapes, and textures, depending on the application and intended use. Most common uses of these materials are as building and structural components, but some applications involving automotive and aircraft products also utilize this material. Engineers and architects often employ these materials because they provide strong reinforcement, resist corrosion, and are easy to fabricate. In addition, since these types of composite materials can be formed at low temperatures, they offer significant cost savings over traditional reinforced plastics and other forms.

Construction engineers typically use melt molded glass fibers in thermal spray foam and other construction products. Fiberglass's low elasticity and high stiffness allow it to conform tightly to any surface, including curved surfaces, while providing excellent conductivity and thermal conductivity. It also allows for quick set up and tear down, and high flexibility during storage.

Fiberglass's high melt-molded strength also makes it ideal for use in structural frames and beams because it has a high compressive strength-to-weight ratio. Glass fiber's tensile strength is primarily attributed to its a-frame construction. Its continuous a-frame structure results in high tensile strength over the length of its length, including the a-frame edge, end cap, and butt joints. This quality makes it the ideal material for reinforcement of concrete slabs in higher temperatures and greater pressures. When applied to beams and frames in high temperatures, a-glass fibers melt at temperatures as high as 1000 degrees Fahrenheit. Unlike metal reinforced plastic and other types of thermal bridging, however, a-glass does not melt or burn when exposed to high temperatures.

With the use of soda lime, contractors have successfully produced glass fiber reinforced with a unique glass made process that yields a glass that can withstand extremely high temperatures. The resulting product is highly flexible yet extremely tough. Using soda lime, contractors have created a glass that has twice the tensile strength of other glass fibers and yet only weighs half as much. The resulting product offers a distinct advantage in that it has a nearly unlimited life span, even after exposure to extreme heat and temperatures.

The use of glass fiber as a thermal bridging material has become increasingly popular due to its thermal performance characteristics and cost effectiveness. It is cheaper than reinforced plastic, but more durable than most aluminum alloys. Glass fiber reinforced plastic offers similar life spans, but comes at a higher price. Using a combination of high-temperature epoxy resin and an a-glass fiberglass manufacturing process, the combination produces a versatile, multi-functional product that can be used in a multitude of situations.