what is fiberglass made of?
When making fiberglass, manufacturers use liquid glass from a melting furnace, or melt glass marbles. Once molten, it passes through narrow holes, creating very fine glass yarns, which are measured in microns.
When the threads are cool, they can be interwoven to form the glass fabric. This material is often combined with resins to improve the product and make it more durable.
Properties of fiberglass
Fiberglass is a product that has increased in sales over the years due to its many advantages that other materials cannot offer. Among its properties, the following stand out:
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- Mechanical resistance. It has more resistance than steel.
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- Electrical characteristics. Fiberglass is a good electrical insulator, even in cables with little thickness.
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- Incombustibility. Being a mineral, it is incombustible, therefore, it does not spread fire.
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- Compatibility with other materials. Fiberglass can have different sizes and can be combined with many synthetic resins, such as the epoxy that we have in Feroca, as well as with other minerals, such as cement.
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- It does not corrode. It does not rot nor is it affected by the action of insects or rodents.
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- Thermal conductivity. It has low thermal conductivity, being useful in the construction industry.
-
- Electrical permeability. It is suitable for electromagnetic windows.
Fiberglass Uses
These are some of the uses that industries make of fiberglass:
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Automotive sector. It can serve as an insulation system, to reinforce the drive belt, to manufacture clutch discs and brake pads, for reproduction parts, bumpers and even seats.
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Construction sector. This material reinforces facades and cracks in walls, in addition to creating acoustic and thermal insulation systems thanks to its composition. It can also protect against fire.
-
Handicrafts and decoration. Fiberglass is used in the decorative elements of parks, scenographies, for large surfaces and architectural projects. It is also used for different objects such as lamps, stools, flowerpots, aquariums... and serves as reinforcement for sculptures and molds.
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Leisure and sports sector. Field hockey sticks, snow skis, snowboards or surfboards can be manufactured with this product and even for the reproduction of parts for the nautical industry.
If you need to buy fiberglass and you don't know which one you need, we invite you to contact us.
Types of fibers and reinforcement fabrics
There are different types of fiberglass present in the market and they can be presented in different forms such as tapes, fillers or gaskets. However, from Feroca we put at your disposal a whole selection of glass fibers or mat so that you can find the one that best suits your needs.
You will be able to find fiberglass in mat format, in woven and chopped strands, as well as in quadriaxial glass fabric.
One of the most sold glass fibers is the 300 grams reinforcement Mat , as it is an intermediate thickness and very versatile. It is usually used both for laminates and for layering, the latter being used together with Feroca's Ferpol 100BSX15 resin for greater strength.
Differences with carbon fiber
Stiffness
Fiberglass is usually stiffer than carbon fiber. For projects requiring a high degree of stiffness and with a more limited budget, such as storage tanks, shell reinforcement or protective hulls, fiberglass is the ideal solution.
Strength
Glass is very strong, as far as industrial applications are concerned. This is because it has similar characteristics to carbon, but at a much lower price, allowing its use in different projects such as the construction of swimming pools, boats or reinforced plastic parts.
Durability
Fiberglass and carbon fiber are similar in terms of durability. Its ability to resist much more to any impact is due to its flexibility. It is for this reason that it is often used in industrial projects. Fiberglass is usually more cost effective for domestic or simple industrial projects. Value for money is essential for any job and that is why fiberglass is often the choice of many DIY professionals and hobbyists, as its price is up to 15 times less than carbon fiber.
Buy fiberglass at Feroca
From Feroca we put at your disposal a selection of fiberglass and reinforcement fabrics that fit any type of project of elaboration or repair.
However, if you have doubts about the application of fiberglass or need more information, you can contact us. We will be happy to help and advise you.
what is fiberglass made of?
When making fiberglass, manufacturers use liquid glass from a melting furnace, or melt glass marbles. Once molten, it passes through narrow holes, creating very fine strands of glass, which are measured in microns.
When the threads are cool, they can be interwoven to form the glass fabric. This material is often combined with resins to improve the product and make it more durable.
Properties of fiberglass
Fiberglass is a product that has increased in sales over the years due to its many advantages that other materials cannot offer. Among its properties, the following stand out:
-
- Mechanical resistance. It has more resistance than steel.
-
- Electrical characteristics. Fiberglass is a good electrical insulator, even in cables with little thickness.
-
- Incombustibility. Being a mineral, it is incombustible, therefore, it does not spread fire.
-
- Compatibility with other materials. Fiberglass can have different sizes and can be combined with many synthetic resins, such as the epoxy that we have in Feroca, as well as with other minerals, such as cement.
-
- It does not corrode. It does not rot nor is it affected by the action of insects or rodents.
-
- Thermal conductivity. It has low thermal conductivity, being useful in the construction industry.
-
- Electrical permeability. It is suitable for electromagnetic windows.
Uses of fiberglass
These are some of the uses that industries make of fiberglass:
-
Automotive sector. It can serve as an insulation system, to reinforce the drive belt, to manufacture clutch discs and brake pads, for reproduction parts, bumpers and even seats.
-
Construction sector. This material reinforces facades and cracks in walls, in addition to creating acoustic and thermal insulation systems thanks to its composition. It can also protect against fire.
-
Handicrafts and decoration. Fiberglass is used in the decorative elements of parks, scenographies, for large surfaces and architectural projects. It is also used for different objects such as lamps, stools, flowerpots, aquariums... and serves as reinforcement for sculptures and molds.
-
Leisure and sports sector. Field hockey sticks, snow skis, snowboards or surfboards can be manufactured with this product and even for the reproduction of parts for the nautical industry.
If you need to buy fiberglass and you don't know which one you need, we invite you to contact us.
Types of fibers and reinforcement fabrics
There are different types of fiberglass present in the market and they can be presented in different forms such as tapes, fillers or gaskets. However, from Feroca we put at your disposal a whole selection of glass fibers or mat so that you can find the one that best suits your needs.
You will be able to find fiberglass in mat format, in woven and chopped strands, as well as in quadriaxial glass fabric.
One of the most sold glass fibers is the 300 grams reinforcement Mat , as it is an intermediate thickness and very versatile. It is usually used both for laminates and for layering, the latter being used together with Feroca's Ferpol 100BSX15 resin for greater strength.
Differences with carbon fiber
Stiffness
Fiberglass is usually stiffer than carbon fiber. For projects requiring a high degree of stiffness and with a more limited budget, such as storage tanks, shell reinforcement or protective hulls, fiberglass is the ideal solution.
Strength
Glass is very strong, as far as industrial applications are concerned. This is because it has similar characteristics to carbon, but at a much lower price, allowing its use in different projects such as the construction of swimming pools, boats or reinforced plastic parts.
Durability
Fiberglass and carbon fiber are similar in terms of durability. Its ability to resist much more to any impact is due to its flexibility. It is for this reason that it is often used in industrial projects. Fiberglass is usually more cost effective for domestic or simple industrial projects. Value for money is essential for any job and that is why fiberglass is often the choice of many DIY professionals and hobbyists, as its price is up to 15 times less than carbon fiber.
Buy fiberglass at Feroca
From Feroca we put at your disposal a selection of fiberglass and reinforcement fabrics that fit any type of project of elaboration or repair.
However, if you have doubts about the application of fiberglass or need more information, you can contact us. We will be happy to help and advise you.
If your project requires quick coverage with high impregnation or you need a surface finish layer, check out our selection of fibreglass mats and veils: 300 g/m² mat for quick reinforcement and 34 g/m² veil for finishes without weave marks.
Frequently asked questions about fibreglass woven fabric
What is the difference between woven fabric and fibreglass mat?
Woven fabric is made up of continuous glass filaments interlaced in a regular structure (plain or twill weave), which gives it greater mechanical strength and a cleaner finish than mat. Mat, on the other hand, uses short fibres distributed randomly, absorbs more resin and conforms better to sharp curves. For structural parts or where finish matters, woven fabric is the choice; for quick and economical reinforcement, mat.
What weight of fibreglass woven fabric do I need?
It depends on the application:
- 48 g/m²: very thin finishing layers, surface sealing, lightweight laminates where conformability is the priority.
- 105-166 g/m²: general use in structural laminates. Good balance between strength and workability. The most common in the workshop.
- 300 g/m²: greater thickness per layer, fewer layers needed. For parts with high structural demands.
In general, for a standard laminate with epoxy or polyester resin, start with the 163 or 166 g/m².
What resins work with fibreglass woven fabric?
Standard and isophthalic polyester resins, vinylester and lamination epoxy resins. For applications with Jesmonite AC100 or water-based systems, use the 180 g/m² quadriaxial fabric or Silionne fabric, which have specific treatments to improve adhesion with these systems. Standard fabrics (48-300 g/m²) work best with organic-based resins (polyester/epoxy).
What is Silionne fabric and quadriaxial fabric used for?
Silionne fabric (2/2 twill, 86 g/m²) has a silane treatment that improves adhesion with epoxy resins and water-based systems such as Jesmonite. It is especially useful when you need maximum compatibility between the fabric and the resin. Quadriaxial fabric (180 g/m²) has fibres in four directions, giving it multi-directional strength. Ideal for parts that will be subjected to stresses on different axes or for reinforcement with Jesmonite AC100.
What are braided glass sleeves used for?
E-Glass braided sleeves are designed for the reinforcement and protection of tubular elements: tubes, rods, cables and profiles. They slide over the element to be protected and are impregnated with resin to create a rigid, impact-resistant casing. They are available in two diameters: 20 mm (application range 10-25 mm) and 43 mm (range 20-55 mm).
