Common processing technology of glass fiber
This article briefly introduces the common processing techniques of glass fiber to help customers choose the appropriate process based on their finished product requirements.
1. Definition and Characteristics
What is glass fiber? Glass fiber is an inorganic, non-metallic material formed by drawing high-temperature molten glass. To meet the needs of various industries, glass fiber is further processed into yarn, fabric, or composite materials. Common processing techniques include pultrusion, winding, RTM (resin transfer molding), compression molding, hand lay-up, and spraying. Its main characteristics are as follows:
High Strength and Lightweight: Its specific strength is higher than that of steel;
Corrosion Resistance: It can operate stably in acidic, alkaline, and humid environments;
Good Electrical Insulation: It is widely used in the electrical and electronic fields;
High Designability: Different processing methods can meet structural, performance, and appearance requirements.
2. Advantages of Glass Fiber
Flexible Design: It can be made into a variety of forms such as felt, cloth, yarn, and blanket to suit different processing methods.
Adjustable Performance: It can be tailored to meet different applications by adjusting the fiber diameter, linear density, and surface sizing formulation.
Cost-Effectiveness: It offers a superior price-performance ratio compared to high-performance fibers such as carbon fiber and aramid.
Environmentally Sustainable: Some processes are recyclable, in line with the trend of green manufacturing.
3. Applications
Construction: GRC panels, roofing felt, pipes.
Transportation: Automotive parts, rail transit interiors.
Energy: Wind turbine blades, storage tanks.
Electrical: Insulation boards, circuit boards (7628 cloth).
Consumer Goods: Sports equipment, daily necessities.
4. Common Fiberglass Processing Technologies and Applicable Raw Materials
Processing | Basic Flow | Applicable Fiberglass Raw Materials | Common Products |
Pultrusion | Continuous fibers are impregnated with resin and pultruded through a heated mold. | Pultruded yarn, chopped strand mat, stitched mat
| Profiles, rods, window frames
|
Fiber Winding | Fibers are wound at an angle around a rotating mandrel and impregnated with resin. | Direct yarn, chopped strand mat, woven roving
| High-pressure pipes, storage tanks |
RTM | Reinforcement materials are placed in a mold, then injected with resin and cured. | Chopped strand mat, Stitched mat, woven woven mat, composite mat | Complex structural parts, automotive components |
Molding | SMC/BMC materials are molded under high temperature and high pressure | SMC special yarn, chopped strands, surface mat
| Electrical enclosures, building panels
|
Hand lay-up | Manually laying fiberglass cloth/mat layer by layer and applying resin | Chopped strand mat, woven woven mat, surface mat | Ship hulls, wind turbine blades
|
Spraying | Chopped fiber and resin are simultaneously sprayed into the mold for curing | Spraying yarn, chopped strands, surface mat
| Cooling towers, storage tanks, decorative parts
|
5. Selection Guide
Based on mechanical properties: Structural load-bearing components are suitable for pultrusion or winding;
Based on size and complexity: Large, complex parts can be either lay-up or RTM;
Based on production volume: Small-batch projects can use lay-up, while large-batch projects can choose molding;
Based on appearance requirements: For high surface quality, choose RTM or molding;
Based on cost budget: For limited budgets, choose spraying or hand lay-up.
6. FAQs
What is the difference between pultrusion and winding of glass fiber?
Pultrusion is suitable for linear profiles, while winding is more suitable for cylindrical or pressure-bearing structures such as pipes and tanks.
What is the difference between RTM and hand lay-up?
RTM offers higher surface finish and dimensional accuracy, while hand lay-up offers lower costs and greater flexibility.
Can glass fiber composites withstand high temperatures?
Depending on the resin system, the general temperature resistance range is 120–200°C, with special systems capable of reaching 300°C.
How to choose the right process?
Product structure, performance requirements, production scale, and budget need to be comprehensively considered.
7. Summary
Common glass fiber processing techniques include pultrusion, winding, RTM, compression molding, hand lay-up, and spraying. Each process has its own characteristics and application scope. When selecting a process, companies should consider product performance requirements, appearance quality, production volume, and cost to achieve the optimal balance between performance and cost-effectiveness. We are a Chinese glass fiber manufacturer. If you are looking for high-quality glass fiber products, our products are an excellent choice. For more information, please contact us via email at annayu@169chem.net or WhatsApp: +86 18909016373.