Building Materials & Composite Materials: Dispersed Glass Fiber
With the deepening implementation of the "dual-carbon" policy, the green and low-carbon transformation of the fiberglass industry has become a focus of attention within the industry. The EU's Circular Economy Action Plan 2.0, to be implemented in 2026, will drive 30% of fiberglass products to use recycled materials, and the proportion of investment in recycling technology R&D will increase from the current 5% to 12% by 2030. Enterprises are actively exploring raw material substitution and energy structure adjustment. For example, kaolin substitution technology for pyrophyllite is expected to achieve large-scale application by 2026, and biomass fuel substitution technology has achieved pilot testing, and is expected to replace 30% of fossil fuel demand by 2030. Fiberglass has extremely wide applications, primarily utilizing its high strength, corrosion resistance, and insulation properties, covering multiple fields such as building materials, transportation, electronics, and chemicals.
1. Construction and Building Materials Sector
This is the most important application area for fiberglass, mainly existing in the form of fiberglass reinforced materials.
Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic (FRP) Products: Used to manufacture skylights, decorative panels, water tanks, ventilation ducts, etc., replacing traditional metal or concrete materials; they are lighter and more resistant to aging.
Glass Reinforced Concrete (GRC): Glass fibers are added to cement components to improve their crack resistance and toughness; commonly used in exterior wall decorative components, reliefs, etc.
Thermal Insulation Materials: Made into glass wool, used for thermal and sound insulation of building exterior walls, roofs, and central air conditioning systems.
2. Transportation Sector: Primarily used to reduce the weight of vehicles and increase structural strength, thereby reducing energy consumption.
Automotive Industry: Manufactures body parts (such as bumpers, door trim panels), engine parts, and battery casings for new energy vehicles, combining lightweight and high strength.
Aerospace: Used in composite materials for aircraft fuselages and wings, as well as high-temperature resistant components for satellites and rockets, requiring the use of high-performance glass fibers (such as S-glass fiber).
Marine and Rail Transportation: Manufactures ship hulls, decks, and interior and structural components for high-speed trains; corrosion-resistant and able to withstand seawater or humid environments.
3. Electronics and Electrical Engineering: Its excellent insulation properties ensure circuit safety and stability.
Circuit Board Substrate: Copper-clad laminates made of fiberglass cloth and resin are the core material for PCBs (Printed Circuit Boards), used in computers, mobile phones, and all other electronic devices.
Insulating Materials: Used to make insulating tubes, insulating paper, and cable sheaths for insulation protection of motors, transformers, and high-voltage cables, preventing leakage or short circuits.
4. Other Specialized Fields:
Chemical and Environmental Protection: Used to manufacture corrosion-resistant storage tanks, pipes, and filter cloths for transporting acid and alkali solutions or filtering industrial wastewater and flue gas.
Sports Equipment: Used in the production of golf clubs, fishing rods, skis, etc., offering lightweight yet high strength and improving equipment handling.
Protective Equipment: Used to make fire blankets and high-temperature resistant gloves, utilizing their non-flammable and high-temperature resistant properties for industrial fire prevention or emergency rescue.
The selection of dispersion bases mainly revolves around three core dimensions: compatibility, dispersion efficiency, and impact on the fiber/matrix. A comprehensive judgment must be made in conjunction with the specific application scenario (such as resin matrix type and molding process).
1. Core Screening Dimensions and Judgment Criteria
During screening, the following dimensions must be verified one by one to ensure that the dispersion base meets the technical requirements.
Dimension 1: Compatibility with the Matrix
This is the primary prerequisite. The dispersion base must be able to mix uniformly with the final resin matrix (such as epoxy resin, polypropylene) without layering, precipitation, or bubbles.
Judgment Method: After mixing the dispersion base and matrix in the specified proportions, observe the appearance transparency (or uniformity) and test the viscosity stability of the mixture.
Dimension 2: Dispersion Efficiency
It must be able to effectively break up glass fiber agglomerates, ensuring uniform dispersion of individual fibers or small bundles of fibers.
Judgment Method: Observe the fiber distribution after dispersion using an optical microscope, or test the mechanical properties of the composite material (such as tensile strength). The more stable the properties, the more uniform the dispersion.
Dimension 3: Negative Impacts on Fibers and Matrix
The dispersion base must not damage the surface structure of the glass fiber (e.g., corrode the fiber, reduce strength), nor should it undergo adverse chemical reactions with the matrix (e.g., affect curing, reduce corrosion resistance).
Judgment method: Test the strength of the fiber monofilament after dispersion treatment, and at the same time test the temperature resistance, aging resistance and other properties of the final composite material.