International Journal of Applied Glass Science, 5/1/65-81(2014) DOI: 10. 111Iijag 12053 IN TERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF A pplied gl ass sC丨ENCE High-Performance Glass Fiber Development for Composite Applications Hong Li, *'I Cheryl Richards, * and James Watson Fiber glass Science and Technology, PPG Industries, Inc, 400 Guys Run Road, Cheswick Pennsylvania 15204 5 uQ The article provides a review of historical commercial glass fiber development and recent developments of high-perfor- mance glass fibers with improved mechanical performance for glass fiber-reinforced polymer-matrix composite applications lass composition design is outlined in conjunction with theoretical and experimental modeling approaches. Challenges in glass melting and fiber forming are briefly discussed. fiber processing. The article concludes with a summary that points to the continuous advancements in glass Glass fiber and glass fiber-reinforced plastic melting technology that meet the growing challenges of (GFRP) composite industries have been enjoying con- the commercial production of high-performance glass tinuous growth globally, especially in the most recent fibers decade. This article is intended to provide a general review, with examples, of the history of fiber glass Overview of Glass Fibers development as well as recent development. The review will cover glass fiber chemistry and composition design, mechanical property characterizations, and topics rele- Market growth vant to glass melting and fiber forming. This article by As GFRP materials have gained broader usage, no means provides a comprehensive review on the sub- global glass fiber output has steadily increased, to meet ject; rather, it provides researchers and professionals that demand, over the past decade. Applications in with an update on the state of glass fiber technology automotive, consumer goods, and industrial tanks, and with a focus on fibers with improved mechanical prop- piping markets have seen rapid expansion. Brisk growth erties. The article is divided into four major sections: has also been seen in wind turbine blades and printed (i)overview of glass fibers, (i) chemical approach to circuit board (PCB) applications. The growing glass fiber mechanical performance, (ii) glass fiber demands of existing GFRP products and identification mechanical property characterizations, and (iv) glass of new applications are further fueled by the mega ends of energy efficiency (automobile and aerospace "Members. The American Ceramic Society hlieppg.com industries requiring lighter weight), a cleaner environ- e 2013 The American Ceramic Sociery and wiley Periodicals, Inc ment(tied to energy efficiency and lower emissions),High-Performance Glass Fiber Development for Composite Applications Hong Li,*,† Cheryl Richards,* and James Watson Fiber Glass Science and Technology, PPG Industries, Inc., 400 Guys Run Road, Cheswick, Pennsylvania 15204 The article provides a review of historical commercial glass fiber development and recent developments of high-perfor￾mance glass fibers with improved mechanical performance for glass fiber-reinforced polymer–matrix composite applications. Glass composition design is outlined in conjunction with theoretical and experimental modeling approaches. Challenges in glass melting and fiber forming are briefly discussed. Introduction Glass fiber and glass fiber-reinforced plastic (GFRP) composite industries have been enjoying con￾tinuous growth globally, especially in the most recent decade. This article is intended to provide a general review, with examples, of the history of fiber glass development as well as recent development. The review will cover glass fiber chemistry and composition design, mechanical property characterizations, and topics rele￾vant to glass melting and fiber forming. This article by no means provides a comprehensive review on the sub￾ject; rather, it provides researchers and professionals with an update on the state of glass fiber technology with a focus on fibers with improved mechanical prop￾erties. The article is divided into four major sections: (i) overview of glass fibers, (ii) chemical approach to glass fiber mechanical performance, (iii) glass fiber mechanical property characterizations, and (iv) glass fiber processing. The article concludes with a summary that points to the continuous advancements in glass￾melting technology that meet the growing challenges of the commercial production of high-performance glass fibers. Overview of Glass Fibers Market Growth As GFRP materials have gained broader usage, global glass fiber output has steadily increased, to meet that demand, over the past decade. Applications in automotive, consumer goods, and industrial tanks, and piping markets have seen rapid expansion. Brisk growth has also been seen in wind turbine blades and printed circuit board (PCB) applications. The growing demands of existing GFRP products and identification of new applications are further fueled by the megatr￾ends of energy efficiency (automobile and aerospace industries requiring lighter weight), a cleaner environ￾ment (tied to energy efficiency and lower emissions), *Members, The American Ceramic Society. † hli@ppg.com © 2013 The American Ceramic Society and Wiley Periodicals, Inc International Journal of Applied Glass Science, 5 [1] 65–81 (2014) DOI:10.1111/ijag.12053