One of the new in-demand industrial materials in markets these days is a product called glass fiber yarn. Depending on the use, the glass fibers are manufactured from different types of glass. The fiberglass is then flattened into a sheet form before being woven into a fiberglass fabric.

These materials are used to make printed circuit boards, structural composites, and other varieties of special-purpose products. If you examine the composition of these yarns under a magnifying glass, you will find a bulk of chopped or continuous strands of glass in them. This type of fiberglass is used as insulation to protect plastic materials due to their unique properties of thermal and electrical conductivity.

Textile Product Type

Fiber/Monofilament – consists of thin, bulk chopped or long strands of filaments. Mainly used in composite reinforcements or as insulation fabric. Sometimes it is a key component in woven fabrics, rope roving, knits, braids or other types of textiles.

Multi-Filament/Strands – made of continuous thin multi-fiber filaments. This is also used for reinforcement applications and similar to the monofilament type this can also be used as a component in woven fabrics.

Woven Product – woven types are typically used as composite tooling in the making of structures. They are made by processing the yarn into 2 or 3-dimensional structures by weaving them on a loom.

Nonwoven Product – these can be shaped into mats of needle-punched cloth, melt-blown structures, oriented fabrics, or spun bound.

Braided Product – you can use these to make thermal insulation cloth, tubular composite structures, or other similar applications.

Knitted Product – it includes filaments processed into knitted structures with 2 or 3 dimensions. Since it is knitted the surfaces will be more contoured.

Rope/Cordage – these are made from braided or twisted rope or from cordage. The rope is heat insulated so can be used to act as a thermal seal around openings in furnace walls or doors.

Webbing (Ribbon/Strap) – Products made from them include woven ribbons, strapping or webbing.

Material Type

Fiberglass cloth can be divided into two grades, such as:

• E-Glass – This is the most expensive variant. They are used for making objects that need to have high strength and great electrical sensitivity. This type has a strength relative to aramid and carbon.
• S-Glass – This is believed to have 30% more strength than E-glass. It also displays excellent properties even at high temperatures. Hence this version is more expensive than E-glass.

Quartz / Fused Silica – this material is a compound of oxygen and silicon. High-quality amorphous-fused silica and quartz display a lower expansion, better thermal shock resistance incredible electrical insulation and low thermal conductivity. The resistance to molten metal corrosion is also an attractive feature.

Source by Shalini M