It is one of the most versatile materials we have available to us; lightweight, strong and weather resistant. It comes available in any colour with a variety of different surface textures. Used since the second World War and further developed for numerous applications; boats, automobiles, sporting equipment, piping, hot tubs, pools, roofing, gas, drinking and waste systems and storage tanks. It is used to cover equipment in the telecommunications industry due to it being easily molded and painted and it is great for electrical insulation in power industries. It is even used for plant display cases and kayaks.
Fibreglass has countless applications and is a truly diverse material. It can be used in almost any industry and aids us in our everyday lives more than we know. Fibreglass, or Glass-reinforced plastic, is plastic matrix reinforced by fine glass fibres. Fibreglass manufacturing is a big business, and the production of the material is an interesting one.
Large furnaces are used to melt a mixture of sand and chemicals to a liquid form. This liquid is then forced through (usually a large number of) small holes. Fibreglass manufacturers use a three thousand hole platinum bushing to create three thousand glass fibres at a time. These tiny fibres are then worked even thinner in a roller that creates fibreglass yarn, or the fibres are chopped and made into a mat.
To make a structure out of fibreglass, the shape is built up of layers made from these small glass fibres. Polyepoxide is then added to keep the desired shape. Once the polyepoxide (or epoxy) has hardened around the fibres, the structure becomes very strong. Fibreglass yarn is the strongest form of fibreglass, while chopped fibreglass mats are a little weaker.
Fibreglass is also used as insulation when it is spun into a wool-like form. Liquid glass is put into a rotary that spins quickly, forcing the fibres out of small holes. Hot gas or air then turns the streams of glass from the holes into fibres that are then interlaced to create 'glass wool'. Glass wool has many applications relating to insulation and can be used as loose fill material, can be combined with an active binder and sprayed to insulate panelling and is also used for sound proofing.
As such a diverse product, fibreglass has become indispensable to modern construction and several different sectors of industry. It is used in everything from buildings to sporting equipment and is likely to remain one of the most versatile materials we use for a very long time.
Fibreworks is a fibreglass manufacturing business based in New Zealand providing highly specialised expertise to design briefs in building & architecture. It creates fibreglass products to satisfy the custom fibreglass design & functionality briefs of New Zealand's architects, engineers & artists. From fibreglass architectural components to fibreglass lighting solutions.
Owner, Dave Smithers, works closely with clients to achieve exceptional product results. The business is also in demand to provide superior fibreglass repair work too due to the high standard of technical knowledge, application & adherence to customers requirements.
Talk to us about Fibreglass Manufacturing & how we can help turn your concept into reality.
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