fiberglass, Extremely thin resin-coated glass fibers used principally as insulation and as a reinforcing agent in plastics.
Methods of production
Glass fibers were little more than a novelty until the 1930s, when their thermal and electrical insulating properties were appreciated and methods for producing continuous glass filaments were developed. Modern manufacture begins with liquid glass obtained directly from a glass-melting furnace or from the remelting of preformed glass marbles. For producing continuous fiber, the liquid is fed into a bushing, a receptacle that is pierced with hundreds of fine nozzles through which the liquid issues in fine streams. The solidifying streams are gathered into a single strand, which is wound onto a spool.
Strands can be twisted or plied into yarns, woven into fabrics, or chopped into short pieces and then bonded into mats. Discontinuous fibers are most often made in a rotary process, in which fine streams of glass are flung outward through holes in a spinning dish and are then broken and blown downward by a blast of air or steam. The fibers collect on a moving conveyor and are formed into wools, mats, or boards.
Uses
Fiberglass wool, an excellent sound absorbent and thermal insulator, is commonly used in buildings, appliances, and plumbing. With a high strength to weight ratio, fiberglass can add strength and electrical resistivity to molded plastic products, such as pleasure boat hulls, automobile body parts, and housings for a variety of electronic consumer products. Glass fabrics are used as electrical insulators and as reinforcing belts in automobile tires. The material is also used to make wind turbine blades and the rotating blades on helicopters. An advantage of using fiberglass over other materials is its resistance to rusting or corroding even in harsh outdoor environments. Additionally, fiberglass as a sound absorbent helps to reduce echo. When the material is incorporated into engines, for example, fiberglass can reduce the decibel level of machinery, making it safer to operate.
- Also spelled:
- fibreglass
- Also called:
- glass fiber, glass wool, orsynthetic vitreous fibers
- Key People:
- Jean Dubuffet
- Related Topics:
- glass
- glass wool
Dangers
While fiberglass is a flexible and useful material when used in controlled environments, accidental exposure to the material in its raw form can cause itchy eyes, a scratchy throat, and general bodily irritation, including in the form of rashes and redness. Fiberglass exposure can also exacerbate the effects of chronic conditions such as asthma and bronchitis. While some studies claim that fiberglass is carcinogenic, evidence is limited, and based solely on experiments conducted on animals.