Glass Chopped Strand Mat (CSM)
Chopped strand matting exists as a thin, compressed sheet of randomly orientated glass fibres of thicknesses ranging from 0.78 mm (300 g CSM) to 1.2 mm (450 g CSM) and 1.55 mm (600 g CSM). These CSM have a depth of 0.95 mm and are sold in a range of lengths in proportion to their weight.
E-glass, C-glass and S-glass are the most popular types. E-glass is used across a range of industries and is ideal for fibreglass flat roof construction, fibreglass pond linings, as well as fibreglass repairs. However, it has some mechanical limitations, namely a fairly low elastic moduli and can be susceptible to creep and creep rupture. As such, more high-performance projects may require HS-glass, which is stronger and stiffer.
Crucially, glass fibre has a overall high performance-to-cost ratio, presenting low weight, good long-term mechanical properties and a tolerance of water and chemicals, it is used in construction, marine, renewables, automotive and other industries.
Woven Glass Cloth
Woven glass cloth reinforcements are manufactured by interlacing two or more threads at 0o (the warp) and 90o (the weft). The performance is requirements dictate weaving, with different patterns available (twill, satin and plain weaves).
Woven cloths are typically used in wet lay-up or resin infusion methods and are seen as alternatives to unidirectional prepreg tapes. They as well as good mechanical properties, they are easy to work with and create great laminates.
Multi-Axial (NCF) Glass Fibre
Multi-axial glass fibre reinforcements comprise multi-layer unidirectional fibres. Each layer is placed in different orientations and are then stich-bonded to create a fabric.
Key benefits centre on the fact that the fibres can be places in different axis to strategically reinforce the laminate. Furthermore, the absence of non-crimped fibres means that high tensile and flexural properties can be maintained in the laminate.
Multi-axial glass fibre fabrics are also easier to cut, since the stitching holds them together.
Resin penetration is easier, given the straight, uncrimped fibres, making them well suited for infusion and RTM applications.
E-glass multi-axial fabrics are typically used to manufacture components for aerospace, marine, automotive, and industrial markets. Fabric weights can range from 250-gram fabrics up to 6,000 grams.
Surface Tissue / Veils…
Surface tissue is a thin, lightweight form of glass fibre chopped strand matting.
Glass fibre reinforcements are often used when a more cost-effective or flexible alternative is required to carbon fibre.
Glass fibre reinforcements reinforcements are diverse, featuring randomly orientated chopped strand matting (CSM) through to more focussed bi-directional designs like woven glass fabric, offering higher tensile strengths in specific directions.
The resultant properties of fibreglass parts made using these reinforcements gives rise to usage in a range of industries, from marine through to construction, automotive, moulding, space and aerospace.
Q. How is glass fibre produced?
A. Glass fibre production involves melting the base ingredients together and converting the melt into fibres. These fibres typically have diameters of 5–25 μm and a coating is applied to promote adhesion with the matrix phase material (polyester resin).
Q. What is glass fibre made from?
A. Silicon dioxide (silica) is the primary ingredient (50-60 %) with additional ones (calcium, boron, aluminium, etc.) added to create different compositions and therefore exert different properties. The most popular types of glass fibre centre on E-glass, C-glass and S-glass, with others also existing but typically being more bespoke. E-glass, for instance, is used across a range of industries and is ideal for fibreglass flat roof construction, GRP pond and water feature lining, as well as fibreglass-based repairs. However, it has some mechanical limitations, namely a fairly low elastic moduli and can be susceptible to creep and creep rupture. As such, more high-performance projects may require HS-glass, which is stronger and stiffer.
A key advantage of glass fibre is its overall high performance-to-cost ratio. With performance centring on low weight, good mechanical properties over extended periods and a tolerance of water and chemicals, it is used in construction, marine, renewables, automotive and other industries.
