Glass Fiber Types
Glass fibers fall into two categories, low-cost general-purpose fibers and specialpurpose fibers. Over 90% of all glass fibers are general- purpose products. These
fibers are known by the designation E-glass and are subject to ASTM
specifications. E-glass fibers, whether employed for reinforcement, filtration,
insulation, or other applications. The remaining glass fibers are special-purpose
products.
Many, like E-glass, have letter designations implying special properties.
Specifically:
Letter designation
E, electrical
S, strength
C, chemical
M, modulus
A, alkali
D, dielectric
Property or characteristic
Low electrical conductivity
High strength
High chemical durability
High stiffness
High alkali or soda lime glass
Low dielectric constant.
(Relation
between
stress
and
strain in
composit
e
materials
Table (11)
abstract
A composite material can be defined as a combination of two or more
materials that results in better properties than those of the individual
components used alone. The two constituents are a reinforcement and a
matrix. The main advantages of composite materials are their high strength
and stiffness, combined with low density. The reinforcing phase provides
the strength and stiffness. In most cases, the reinforcement is harder,
stronger, and stiffer than the matrix.