E-glass fibre
0.7-2 usd/kgE-glass, so-called because it was originally developed for electrical insulators (the boron in its chemistry improves electrical properties), is most common type of glass fibre. It is an alumina‐borosilicate glass with low levels of alkali oxides.
Production of glass fibre has become very efficient and cost-effective, with prices starting at less than 1 usd/kg, partly due to the huge demand from wind turbine manufacture, and automotive application.
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Continuous glass fibre reinforced epoxy composites (EP-GF) are suitable for a range of structural, high temperature and electrical applications. They combine the benefits of both as a composite with low thermal conductivity, good temperature resistance, good dimensional stability, low moisture absorption, high compressive strength and good resistance to wear. As a result, they are found throughout automotive, sports, constructions and consumer goods, in the form of moulded, wound, stock (sheet, rod and tube) and machined parts.
Compared to carbon fibre composites, they are not as strong, but are tougher and cheaper – glass fibre and fabrics are consumed in huge qualities in wind energy, which helps to keep the price as low as possible. Another advantage is glass fibres allow radio waves to pass through, which means they are suitable for applications that involve sensors and antennas that are affected by conductive materials. Applications that take advantage of their structural and electrical properties in particular, include things like insulators and induction systems, gaskets and seals, heating elements and high voltage switchgear.
Some notable types and grades:
– Certain stock shapes (sheet and rod, for example) may be referred to as G10 (G-10) and G11 (G-11). These are designations controlled by National Electrical Manufactures Association (NEMA), intended for material used in electrical applications, such as circuit boards. They are one of the few composite materials that have an established set of performance requirements.
– G10 specifies to MIL-I-24768/2 (GEE), MIL-P-18177 GEE and LP-509).
– FR4 (FR-4) is flame retardant and specifies to MIL-I-24768/27 (GEE-F) and MIL-P-18177 GEE-F.
– G11 has higher heat resistance (180 degC, versus 140 degC for G10) and is paired with FR5 (FR-5) for applications that also require flame retardancy.