Fiberglass

Fiberglass Pool

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For the thermal insulation material sometimes called fiberglass, see glass wool. For the glass fiber itself, also sometimes called fiberglass, see glass fiber. For similar composite materials in which the reinforcement fiber is carbon fibers, see carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer.

Fiberglass (US) or fibreglass (UK) is a common type of fiber-reinforced plastic using glass fiber. The fibers may be randomly arranged, flattened into a sheet (called a chopped strand mat), or woven into a fabric. The plastic matrix may be a thermoset polymer matrix – most often based on thermosetting polymers such as epoxy, polyester resin, or vinylester – or a thermoplastic.

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Cheaper and more flexible than carbon fiber, it is stronger than many metals by weight, and can be molded into complex shapes. Applications include aircraft, boats, automobiles, bath tubs and enclosures, swimming pools, hot tubs, septic tanks, water tanks, roofing, pipes, cladding, casts, surfboards, and external door skins.

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Other common names for fiberglass are glass-reinforced plastic (GRP),[1] glass-fiber reinforced plastic (GFRP)[2] or GFK (from German: Glasfaserverstärkter Kunststoff). Because glass fiber itself is sometimes referred to as "fiberglass", the composite is also called "fiberglass reinforced plastic". This article will adopt the convention that "fiberglass" refers to the complete glass fiber reinforced composite material, rather than only to the glass fiber within it.

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Examples of fiberglass use

• Kayaks made of fiberglass
• DIY bows / youth recurve; longbows
• Pole vaulting poles
• Equipment handles(Hammers, axes, etc.)
• Traffic lights
• Ship hulls
• Rowing shells and oars
• Waterpipes
• Helicopter rotor blades
• Surfboards,[18] tent poles
• Gliders, kit cars, microcars, karts, bodyshells, kayaks, flat roofs, lorries
• Pods, domes and architectural features where a light weight is necessary
• High-end bicycles[19]
• Auto body parts, and entire auto bodies (e.g. Sabre Sprint, Lotus Elan, Anadol, Reliant, Quantum Quantum Coupé, Chevrolet Corvette and Studebaker Avanti, and DeLorean DMC-12 underbody)
• Antenna covers and structures, such as radomes, UHF broadcasting antennas, and pipes used in hex beam antennas for amateur radio communications
• FRP tanks and vessels: FRP is used extensively to manufacture chemical equipment and tanks and vessels. BS4994 is a British standard related to this application.
• Most commercial velomobiles
• Most printed circuit boards consist of alternating layers of copper and fiberglass FR-4
• Large commercial wind turbine blades
• RF coils used in MRI scanners
• Drum Sets
• Sub-sea installation protection covers
• Reinforcement of asphalt pavement, as a fabric or mesh interlayer between lifts[20]
• Helmets and other protective gear used in various sports
• Orthopedic casts[21]
• Fiberglass grating is used for walkways on ships and oil rigs, and in factories
• Fiber-reinforced composite columns
• Water slides
• sculpture making

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Table of some common fiberglass types