Glass fibers are filaments of an amorphous silicate drawn from a molten batch, and they are the reinforcement most widely applied in polymer composites by volume. The commercial grades differ mainly in composition: E-glass is the general-purpose electrical grade, while S-glass and R-glass carry more magnesium and aluminium oxide for a higher strength [1]. The fibre is formed by drawing the melt through a bushing, and the surface is coated immediately with a sizing that protects the filaments and provides the bond to the matrix [2]. Because the fibre is isotropic and brittle, the composite strength along the fibre direction follows the rule of mixtures up to the point where the first filaments break [3]. Alkali attack in a cementitious environment destroys the network, so a zirconia-containing grade is chosen where the composite must survive in concrete [4]. The interface with a thermoplastic matrix is usually weaker than with an epoxy, and the difference dominates the off-axis properties [5].
- e-glass
- sizing
- rule of mixtures
- alkali resistance
- filament drawing
- interfacial bond
- reinforcement
References
- Aniskevich, K.; Aniskevich, A.; Arnautov, A.; Jansons, J.; Mechanical properties of pultruded glass fiber-reinforced plastic after moistening. Composite Structures 2012, 94, 2914-2919, 10.1016/j.compstruct.2012.04.030.
- Belhouideg, S.; Prediction of effective mechanical properties of composite materials using homogenization approach: Application to tungsten fiber reinforced bulk metallic glass matrix composite. European Mechanical Science 2018, 2, 68-75, 10.26701/ems.376369.
- Wang, Y.; Pan, L.; Li, Z.; Yue, G.; Man, J.; Study on static and dynamic mechanical properties of glass fiber reinforced polypropylene laminated self-reinforced polypropylene composite structure. Composite Structures 2023, 314, 116978, 10.1016/j.compstruct.2023.116978.
- Milosan, I.; Bedo, T.; Gabor, C.; Pop, M.A.; Mechanical Characteristics of Glass-Fiber-Reinforced Polyester Composite Materials. Materials 2025, 18, 3595, 10.3390/ma18153595.
- Xian, G.; Guo, R.; Li, C.; Combined effects of sustained bending loading, water immersion and fiber hybrid mode on the mechanical properties of carbon/glass fiber reinforced polymer composite. Composite Structures 2022, 281, 115060, 10.1016/j.compstruct.2021.115060.