International Journal of Applied Glass Science 312)122-136(2012) 1112041 N TERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF Applied GI ass sC丨ENCE Glass Fiber-Reinforced Composites: From Formulation to application Joy M. Stickel and Mala Nagarajan* Owens Corning Science d Technology, 2790 Columbus Rd, Granville, Ohio 43023 Glass fiber-reinforced composite materials are attractive because their properties can be tailored to meet the specific needs a variety of applications. The mechanical and thermal properties of a composite generally follow the rule of mixtures glass hiber is the major component at 70-75% by weight (50-60% by volume), selection of the correct glass product is criti- al. Glass fiber reinforcement is available in many forms, including continuous rovings, chopped fibers, fabrics, and nonwoven mats. In addition to form, selection of a reinforcement product involves choosing a glass type, chemistry on the glass(sizing) filament diameter, and tex. Glass formulation or type governs mechanical, thermal, and corrosion properties, whereas sizing protects the glass during handling and gives compatibility with the resin system. Filament diameter and strand tex are choser to balance physic erties and manufacturing efficiency. A signifcant amount of tensile strength, up to 50%, may be lost from a pristine single filament to a multi-filament roving. To minimize this degradation, the utmost care and consistency must be exercised in the fber forming process. This, coupled with selection of a high-performance glass formulation, enables use of composites in highly demanding applications, such as pressure vessels and ballistic armor Introduction fiberized, the glass be treated as gently and carefully as possible. An organic coating(sizing) is applied to the The properties of a composite material are gov- glass surface during the forming process that lubricates erned by the properties of the fiber used to reinforce it. and protects the glass by minimizing abrasion when When tensile strength and toughness must be maxi- individual filaments contact one another. Extreme care mized,glass fiber is the reinforcement of choice. Inno- is taken throughout the manufacturing process vations in glass fiber formulation allow for strengths on whether the glass fiber product is wet or dry,continu lly important, for high- ous or chopped, from forming through pack-out-to volume manufacturing by a direct-melt process at tensile strength is pre To ensure that the properties of the glass formul: By exercising this care in manufacturing, glass fiber tion are realized in a composite part requires that once tensile strength can be translated to composite laminate tensile strength. The term"composite" is used through out this article to refer to polymer or resin-based Ceramic Sociery and wiley Periodicals, Inc composite materials. Two strength-driven applicationsGlass Fiber-Reinforced Composites: From Formulation to Application Joy M. Stickel and Mala Nagarajan* Owens Corning Science & Technology, 2790 Columbus Rd, Granville, Ohio 43023 Glass fiber-reinforced composite materials are attractive because their properties can be tailored to meet the specific needs of a variety of applications. The mechanical and thermal properties of a composite generally follow the rule of mixtures. As glass fiber is the major component at 70–75% by weight (50–60% by volume), selection of the correct glass product is criti￾cal. Glass fiber reinforcement is available in many forms, including continuous rovings, chopped fibers, fabrics, and nonwoven mats. In addition to form, selection of a reinforcement product involves choosing a glass type, chemistry on the glass (sizing) filament diameter, and tex. Glass formulation or type governs mechanical, thermal, and corrosion properties, whereas sizing protects the glass during handling and gives compatibility with the resin system. Filament diameter and strand tex are chosen to balance physical properties and manufacturing efficiency. A significant amount of tensile strength, up to 50%, may be lost from a pristine single filament to a multi-filament roving. To minimize this degradation, the utmost care and consistency must be exercised in the fiber forming process. This, coupled with selection of a high-performance glass formulation, enables use of composites in highly demanding applications, such as pressure vessels and ballistic armor. Introduction The properties of a composite material are gov￾erned by the properties of the fiber used to reinforce it. When tensile strength and toughness must be maxi￾mized, glass fiber is the reinforcement of choice. Inno￾vations in glass fiber formulation allow for strengths on par with carbon fiber, and equally important, for high￾volume manufacturing by a direct-melt process. To ensure that the properties of the glass formula￾tion are realized in a composite part requires that once fiberized, the glass be treated as gently and carefully as possible. An organic coating (sizing) is applied to the glass surface during the forming process that lubricates and protects the glass by minimizing abrasion when individual filaments contact one another. Extreme care is taken throughout the manufacturing process — whether the glass fiber product is wet or dry, continu￾ous or chopped, from forming through pack-out — to ensure that tensile strength is preserved. By exercising this care in manufacturing, glass fiber tensile strength can be translated to composite laminate tensile strength. The term “composite” is used through￾out this article to refer to polymer or resin-based composite materials. Two strength-driven applications *Mala.Nagarajan@owenscorning.com © 2012 The American Ceramic Society and Wiley Periodicals, Inc International Journal of Applied Glass Science 3 [2] 122–136 (2012) DOI:10.1111/j.2041-1294.2012.00090.x