Glass Fibre

Glass fiber: A manufactured fiber in which the fiber forming substance is glass.

According to definition of A.S.T.M”Glass is an in organic product of fashion which has cooled to a rigid condition with high viscosity to resist crystallization.

Types of Glass: The glasses commonly used in making textile fibers are ‘E’ glasses and ‘C’ glasses are made from compositions of the following type-

Ingredients                       E-glass              C-glass

1.Silica-----------------54.5-53.5                62.o-65.o

2.Lime-----------------16.5-17.5                    6.0

3.Alluminium-----------14.5                          1.0

4. Soda-potash---------<1 .0="" 1.0-3.0="" nbsp="" o:p="">

5. Boric oxide--------10.0-10.6             3.0-4.0

6. Mg -----------------4.5-5.5

7. Soda ----------------------------------11.0-15

Raw materials of glass:

1. Silica.                 5. Dolomite

2. Lime stone.        6. Sodium sulphate

3. Boric acid.         7. Al-sulphate

4. Clay                     8.Coal

Flow chart:

                        Batch formation

 

Fused in electric furnance.

 

Melting at 1370^oC temp.

                                

                        Materials formed into marbles about 5/8” dia.

Visual inspection for imperfections.

 

Re-melted is an electric platinum furnace.

Spinning

 

Glass fibre winding.

Properties of glass fibre:

Physical properties:

þ  Tenacity                      : 15.3 – 19.9 gm/den.

þ  Elasticity                     : Rigid.

þ  Elongation at break    : 2%.

þ  MR%                           : 0%, Negligible.

þ  Specific gravity          : 2.50.

þ  Resiliency                    : Good.

þ  Abrasion resistance    : Not good.

Chemical properties:

þ  Acid                            : Resistant.                 

þ  Alkali                          : Resistant.

þ  Sunlight                      : Resistant.

þ  Dye ability                  : Difficult to dye.

þ  Heat                            : Strength loss at 315⁰C, soften –732⁰C.

þ  Bleach                         : Resistance.

þ  Solvents                      : Not affected.

þ  Flammability              : Flame proof.

Features:

            Smooth, Rod like and circular in cross section.

Uses:

þ  Wedding dresses from glass fibres.

þ  Fire proof fabrics for lamp shades.

þ  A wings, screens, curtains and furnisher covers table cloths.

þ  Largely used for filtration purposes.

þ  Can be used to lag hot pipes and cylinder.

þ  Used for Sound insulation.

þ  Tire cord, conveyor belt, building boat hulls, air craft, radio and TV cabinets.

þ  Reinforcement in plastics.

þ  Car racing suits and suits for astronauts.