Circularity potential
Low
Strength
Extreme
Production energy
Medium
Stiffness
High
Embodied CO2
Medium
Density
High

High modulus glass fibre, used in the production of high strength laminated composites, is produced from aluminosilicate glass. It provides superior properties compared to borosilicate E-glass. Used in demanding applications, such as wind turbine blades, aerospace and military, these fibres are also known as boron-free, to distinguish them from E-glass.


Sustainability concerns
Non-renewable ingredients
Raw material generates polluting by-products
Low circularity potential


S-glass is a fibre reinforcement made with magnesium aluminosilicate. It is used where high strength, high stiffness, extreme temperature resistance and corrosive resistance is needed. It is considerably stiffer and stronger than E-glass, but also much more expensive. Due to the relatively high price, applications tend to be limited to aerospace and defence.


Design properties
Cost usd/kg
5-10
Embodied energy MJ/kg
25-35
Carbon footprint kgCO2e/kg
2-2.5
Density kg/m3
2530
Tensile modulus GPa
85-91
Tensile strength MPa
4700
Hardness Mohs
7
Poissons ratio
0.21-0.24
Thermal expansion (µm/m)/ºC
4.2-8.8
Melt temperature ºC
1400
Thermal conductivity W/mK
0.95
Temperature min-max °C
-40 to 500
Thermal
insulator
Electrical
insulator