E-Glass Fibre

Topics Covered
Background
Fibre Manufacture
Composition
Key Properties
Applications
Composite Materials
Background
E-Glass or electrical grade glass was originally developed for stand off insulators for electrical
wiring. It was later found to have excellent fibre forming capabilities and is now used almost
exclusively as the reinforcing phase in the material commonly known as fibreglass.
Fibre Manufacture
Glass fibres are generally produced using melt spinning techniques. These involve melting the
glass composition into a platinum crown which has small holes for the molten glass to flow.
Continuous fibres can be drawn out through the holes and wound onto spindles, while short
fibres may be produced by spinning the crown, which forces molten glass out through the holes
centrifugally. Fibres are cut to length using mechanical means or air jets.
Fibre dimension and to some extent properties can be controlled by the process variables such as
melt temperature (hence viscosity) and drawing/spinning rate. The temperature window that can
be used to produce a melt of suitable viscosity is quite large, making this composition suitable
for fibre forming.
As fibres are being produced, they are normally treated with sizing and coupling agents. These
reduce the effects of fibre-fibre abrasion which can significantly degrade the mechanical strength
of the individual fibres. Other treatments may also be used to promote wetting and adherence of
the matrix material to the fibre.
Composition
E-Glass is a low alkali glass with a typical nominal composition of SiO
2
54wt%, Al
2
O
3
14wt%,
CaO+MgO 22wt%, B
2
O
3
10wt% and Na
2
O+K
2
O less then 2wt%. Some other materials may also
be present at impurity levels.

Key Properties
Properties that have made E-glass so popular in fibreglass and other glass fibre reinforced
composite include:
Low cost
High production rates
High strength, (see table 1)
High stiffness
Relatively low density
Non-flammable
Resistant to heat
Good chemical resistance
Relatively insensitive to moisture
Able to maintain strength properties over a wide range of conditions
Good electrical insulation
Table 1. Comparison of typical properties for some common fibres.
Materials Density (g/cm
3
) Tensile Strength
(MPa)
Young modulus
(GPa)
E-Glass 2.55 2000 80
S-Glass 2.49 4750 89
Alumina (Saffil) 3.28 1950 297
Carbon 2.00 2900 525
Kevlar 29 1.44 2860 64
Kevlar 49 1.44 3750 136
The advantageous properties of E-glass generally outweigh the disadvantages which include:
Low modulus
Self abrasiveness if not treated appropriately leading to reduced strength
Relatively low fatigue resistance
Higher density compared to carbon fibres and organic fibres.
Applications
Composite Materials
The use of E-Glass as the reinforcement material in polymer matrix composites is extremely
common. Optimal strength properties are gained when straight, continuous fibres are aligned
parallel in a single direction. To promote strength in other directions, laminate structures can be
constructed, with continuous fibres aligned in other directions. Such structures are used in
storage tanks and the like.
Random direction matts and woven fabrics are also commonly used for the production of
composite panels, surfboards and other similar devices.

Primary author: AZoM.com

Date Added: Aug 30, 2001
URL http://www.azom.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=764