Glass Fibre
Glass fibre is the generic name of a group of silica based materials mixed
with a few impurities which is drawn in the fibrous form from the molten state.
Pure crystalline glass melts at 1800 o C breaking Si-O bond, impurities
substitute some of the bonds and hence reduce T m . The major constituent of
glass fibre is SiO2 (55-65%) & Al2O3 (8-25%), other constituents are: Ca0,
Na2O etc. Based on specific impurities, glass fibres are available in three
different forms: E-Glass (Insulating), C-Glass(Anti corrosive) and S-Glass
(High Silica - higher temperature application).
Nextel Fibres of 3M uses a relatively low-temperature Sol-Gel technique to draw the filaments. Glass fibre filaments are susceptible to surface damage - hence the fibres are coated with a thin film of organo-silanes. This process is known as sizing. The properties of glass-fibres vary widely due to the manufacturing process, fibre diameter and the sizing material.
Typically E-glass material has density-2500 kg/m3, Tensile strength - 1750 Mpa, and modulus of elasticity E-70 Gpa.
Popular application of glass fibre based composite include roofing, frames, tanks, etc.
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