Fiberglass is an excellent inorganic non-metallic material with a wide variety of types. Its advantages include strong heat resistance, good corrosion resistance, and high mechanical strength. However, it is brittle and has poor wear resistance. It is made from mineral raw materials such as mica, quartz sand, limestone, dolomite, borocalcite, and boromagnesite through processes such as high-temperature melting, drawing, spinning, and weaving. The diameter of a single fiber ranges from a few micrometers to over thirty micrometers, equivalent to 1/20 to 1/5 of a hair strand. Fiberglass is commonly used as a reinforcing material in composite materials, electrical insulation materials, thermal insulation materials, circuit boards, and various sectors of the national economy.

– The density of fiberglass falls between that of organic fibers and metallic fibers (2.7)
– It has a higher tensile strength
– Good dimensional stability
– And high hardness

1. Classification based on glass composition
– E-glass, alkali-free glass: Alkali metal oxide content is less than 0.8%. Characteristics: stable chemical properties, excellent electrical insulation performance, good mechanical strength.
– C-glass, medium-alkali glass: Alkali metal oxide content is 11.6%-12.4%. It has better acid resistance than alkali-free glass, but poorer electrical properties and 10%-20% lower mechanical strength than alkali-free glass fiber.
– A-glass, high-alkali glass: Alkali metal oxide content is above 16%, also known as clay glass fiber.

Specialized glass fibers
– High-strength S-glass fiber composed of pure silicon-magnesium-aluminum ternary system.
– Silicon-magnesium-aluminum-based high-strength, high-modulus glass fiber.
– Silicon-aluminum-calcium-magnesium-based corrosion-resistant glass fiber.
– Lead-containing fiber.
– High-silica fiber.
– Quartz fiber.
– Conductive fiber.
– Low-dielectric fiber.

2 . Classification based on single fiber diameter

– Coarse fiber: 30 μm
– Primary fiber: 20 μm
– Intermediate fiber: 10 μm – 20 μm
– Fine fiber: 3 μm – 10 μm (also known as textile fiber)
– Ultrafine fiber: Single fiber diameter less than 4 μm

The difference in single fiber diameter not only affects the performance of the fiber but also influences the production process, yield, and cost of the fiber. Generally, fibers with a diameter of 5 μm – 10 μm are used for textile products. Fibers with a diameter of 10 μm – 14 μm are suitable for untwisted yarn, non-woven fabrics, and short-cut fiber felts.

3. Classification based on appearance:
– Untwisted yarn
– Grid fabric
– Short-cut felt
– Various types of woven fabrics
– Short-cut staple fiber
– Ground glass fiber (glass fiber crushed into small pieces)

Fiberglass consists of inorganic components (glass) and organic components (impregnating agent).

The role of the impregnating agent:

1. Lubrication and protection.
2. Bonding and bundling.
3. Prevention of static accumulation on the surface of fiberglass.
4. Classification of impregnating agents:

Classification of impregnating agents:

A. Textile-type impregnating agents: These impregnating agents have good weaving performance, resulting in smooth yarn without fuzz. They are divided into starch-based and paraffin-based types. After application, they require post-processing. Currently, they are rarely used except for fine yarns.

B. Reinforcing-type impregnating agents: These impregnating agents contain components such as coupling agents, film-forming agents, and lubricants. They can directly bond with the resin.

C. Textile-reinforcing impregnating agents: These impregnating agents combine the characteristics of textile-type and reinforcing-type impregnating agents. They can be used for weaving or used directly.

Components of impregnating agents:

A. Coupling agents: They play a bridging role between the inorganic components and the matrix resin.
B. Lubricants: They ensure smooth production and processing of fiberglass, meeting the requirements of subsequent use.
C. Film-forming agents: They provide a bonding and bundling effect on fiberglass.
D. Additives: These are auxiliary components that may be included in the impregnating agents.

1. Direct drawing from powder: Eliminates the need for the pelletization process.
2. Simplified process and stable product quality.
3. High production capacity: For example, China’s Jushi Group has the world’s largest pool kiln with an annual production capacity of 140,000 tons.
4. Low energy consumption: Utilizes natural gas as fuel and employs advanced pure oxygen combustion technology, achieving low-energy and clean production.