eGlas

E-glass, short for electrical glass, is a family of fiberglass produced from silica-based glass designed for electrical insulation and reinforcement of polymer composites. It is the most widely used glass fiber for reinforcing plastics and is manufactured as continuous filaments that can be woven into fabrics, formed into rovings, or chopped for composites.

Manufacture and structure: E-glass is drawn from molten glass into thin filaments and coated with a sizing to improve adhesion to resins such as epoxies, polyesters, and vinyl esters. Typical fibers have diameters of about 9 to 13 micrometers and a density around 2.5 g/cm3. They are used in a wide range of textiles and composite forms.

Properties: E-glass provides good electrical insulation, good stiffness and strength-to-weight, and relatively low cost. It offers strong chemical resistance and moisture tolerance, but strength can be affected by prolonged exposure to highly alkaline environments, and service temperature is governed by the resin matrix rather than the fiber.

Applications: E-glass fibers reinforce polymer matrices in automotive parts, construction materials, wind-energy components, aerospace interior parts, sports equipment, and electrical insulation products. They are favored for cost-effective, moderate-strength composites.

History: E-glass was developed in the 1930s and remains the dominant glass fiber for composites due to its balance of performance and affordability.