A Project Report

On
Glass Fibre

Department of Textile Engineering

TTPC – 202
Session (2022 – 2026)

Submitted to -: Submitted by -:
Dr. Mukesh Bajya Pulkit (22110059)
Manan (22110048)
Manvendra (22110050)
Muskan (22110052)
Hemanthi (22110037)
 Content of table
i. Introduction
 What is glass fibre?
 History and development of glass fibre
 Type of glass fibre
 Physical and mechanical properties of glass
fibre

ii. Manufacturing process of glass

fibre
 Continuous filament process
 Staple fibre process

iii. Glass fibre production

 Nozzle drawing
 Nozzle blowing
 Rod drawing
iv. Application of glass fibre

v. Advantages of glass fibre

vi. Conclusion

vii. References
Introduction :
Glass fibre, also known as fibreglass, is a remarkable material
that has revolutionized numerous industries. Composed of
extremely fine glass threads, this versatile material combines
remarkable strength, durability, and lightweight properties,
making it an essential component in a wide range of
applications. From construction and transportation to sporting
goods and electronics, glass fibre has become an
indispensable part of modern life, enabling the creation of
innovative and high-performance products that shape our
world. Though, the glass fibre is not strictly a high
performance fibre, but is used for various industrial
applications.
The unique properties of glass fibre, such as its high tensile
strength, corrosion resistance, and thermal insulation
capabilities, have made it a sought-after material in various
sectors. Its ability to be molded into complex shapes and its
adaptability to diverse manufacturing processes have further
expanded its applications, allowing engineers and designers to
push the boundaries of what is possible. As technology
continues to evolve, the role of glass fibre in shaping the
future becomes increasingly vital, driving advancements in
fields as diverse as renewable energy, aerospace engineering,
and medical equipment.
What is glass fibre?
Glass fibre is a material composed of extremely fine glass
fibres. These fibres are typically made by drawing molten
glass into fine strands and then weaving or matting them
together to form a flexible, durable, and lightweight material.
Glass fibre is known for its high strength-to-weight ratio,
excellent insulation properties, and resistance to heat,
chemicals, and corrosion.

The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)

which states that 'a glass is an inorganic product of fusion
which has cooled to a rigid condition without crystallizing'.
Unlike the fibres considered up till now, glass fibre is neither
crystalline nor are its molecules in an oriented state; its
isotropic three-dimensional network gives it the unique
property of having comparable properties along and
perpendicular to the fibre axis direction.

Composition of glass fibre (in wt %)

-> Typical composition of glass fibre :

Glass type SiO2 Al2O3 CaO MgO B2O3 Na2O K2O

Soda lime glass 72 0.6 10 25 - 14.2 -

E – Glass 54.4 14.4 17.5 4.5 8.0 - 0.5
S – Glass 65.0 25.0 - 10.0 - - -

The primary component of glass fibre is silica (silicon dioxide), which

accounts for around 50-60% of the composition. Other materials, such
as aluminium oxide, calcium oxide, and magnesium oxide, are added
in smaller amounts to improve the fibre's properties, such as its tensile
strength, chemical resistance, and melting point.

Type of glass fibre :

E-Glass (Electrical Glass): This is the most widely used type
of glass fibre, known for its excellent electrical insulation properties,
high strength-to-weight ratio, and resistance to chemicals and
moisture. E-glass is commonly used in applications such as printed
circuit boards, electrical equipment, and reinforced plastic
composites.

S-Glass (High Strength Glass): S-glass is a high-

performance glass fibre with superior tensile strength, making it ideal
for demanding applications that require exceptional mechanical
properties. It is often used in aerospace, defence, and sports
equipment industries.

C-Glass (Chemical Glass): C-glass is designed to provide

superior resistance to chemical corrosion and weathering. It is
commonly used in applications such as reinforced plastic composites,
fiberglass-reinforced plastic pipes, and chemical storage tanks.

AR-Glass (Alkali-Resistant Glass): AR-glass is specifically

formulated to resist alkali attack, making it a suitable choice for
applications in cement and concrete reinforcement. It is often used in
the construction industry for features such as reinforced concrete
structures and facades.
D-Glass (Dielectric Glass): D-glass is a low-dielectric glass
fibre that offers excellent electrical insulation properties, making it
suitable for use in high-frequency and high-voltage applications, such
as telecommunications equipment and microwave components.

ECR-glass: It is also called electronic glass fiber. It has a good

waterproofing ratio, high mechanical electrical acidic and alkali
corrosion resistance. It shows better properties than E-Type glass
fiber. The biggest advantage is a more environmentally friendly glass
fiber.
R-glass, S-glass or T-glass fibers are trade names of equivalent fibers
having better tensile strength and modulus than E-type glass fibers.
Higher acidic strength and wetting properties are obtained with a
smaller filament diameter.
Physical and chemical properties of glass fibre:
Glass fibers are useful because of their high ratio of surface area to
weight. However, the increased surface area makes them much more
susceptible to chemical attack. By trapping air within them, blocks of
glass fiber make good thermal insulation, with a thermal conductivity
of the order of 0.05 W/(mK).
Glass fibers have outstanding mechanical properties, such as less
fragility, extreme strength, less stiffness, and lightweight. Some
physical and mechanical properties of glass fibers are listed below
table.

The strength of glass is usually tested and reported for “virgin” or

pristine fibers those which have just been manufactured. The freshest,
thinnest fibers are the strongest because the thinner fibers are more
ductile. The more the surface is scratched, the less the resulting
tenacity. Because glass has an amorphous structure, its properties are
the same along the fiber and across the fiber. Humidity is an important
factor in the tensile strength. Moisture is easily adsorbed, and can
worsen microscopic cracks and surface defects, and lessen tenacity.
Manufacturing process of glass fibre :

Idea of manufacturing glass fiber and yarn is centuries old. The raw
materials for glass are primarily silica sand and limestone, with small
amount of other compounds such as aluminium hydroxide, sodium
carbonate and borax. After the initial process of melting glass and
passing it through spinnerets, continuous filaments or staple fibers of
glass are manufactured by two different methods.

Staple fibre process Continuous filament process