Fiberglass Roving Yarn | High-Strength Composite Reinforcement For Diverse Industries
Product Attributes
Attribute | Value |
Material | Fiberglass |
Fiber Type | E-Glass |
Thickness | 0.3-0.5mm |
Moisture Content | ≤0.2% |
Chopped Length | 50mm |
Weight | 300-900g/m2 |
Product Introduction
Fiberglass Roving Yarn is a primary reinforcement material in composite manufacturing, produced by aligning and twisting continuous glass filaments into strands (rovings). Designed for high tensile strength, corrosion resistance, and cost-efficiency, it serves as the "skeleton" in composites, enhancing mechanical performance while reducing material weight.
- Superior Strength: Tensile strength up to 3,000 MPa (equivalent to steel at 1/5 the weight).
- Thermal Stability: Withstands temperatures from -60°C to 500°C (short-term: 600°C).
- Chemical Resistance: Inert to acids, alkalis, and solvents (except hydrofluoric acid).
- Versatility: Compatible with epoxy, polyester, vinyl ester, and thermoplastic resins.
- Applications: Wind turbine blades, automotive body panels, marine hulls, construction reinforcement, and industrial piping.
Manufacturing Process
- Raw Material Melting: Silica sand, limestone, and boron oxide are melted at 1,500-1,600°C in a refractory furnace to form molten glass.
- Fiber Drawing: Molten glass is extruded through platinum-rhodium bushings (nozzles) to form continuous filaments (diameter: 5-25 µm).
- Twisting & Roving Formation: Filaments are gathered into strands (200-4,800 tex) and twisted (0-10 turns/meter) using high-speed roving machines to improve cohesion.
- Coating (Sizing): A protective coating (e.g., silane or acrylic) is applied to enhance resin adhesion and prevent fiber friction.
- Winding & Packaging: Rovings are wound onto cardboard tubes or plastic spools (diameters: 200-600 mm) for easy handling.
- Quality Control: ISO 9001-certified testing for tensile strength, linear density, and resin compatibility.
Usage Precautions
- Handling: Avoid sharp tools or excessive bending during cutting to prevent filament breakage; wear gloves to protect against splinters.
- Resin Compatibility: Match roving type (e.g., E-glass for general use, C-glass for chemical resistance) with resin (e.g., polyester for cost-sensitive projects, epoxy for high-performance applications).
- Processing Temperature: For thermoset resins, cure at 80-150°C (avoid exceeding 200°C for standard E-glass). For thermoplastics, ensure melt temperatures >250°C.
- Storage: Store in dry, ventilated areas (humidity <60%) to prevent moisture absorption; avoid prolonged UV exposure to avoid coating degradation.
- Layup: Align rovings parallel to load directions in composite layups to maximize strength.
Specifications
Parameter | Details |
Material | E-glass (general), C-glass (chemical), S-glass (high-strength) |
Linear Density | 200-4,800 tex (tex = g/km) |
Tensile Strength | 2,500-3,500 MPa |
Elastic Modulus | 70-85 GPa |
Breaking Elongation | 2-4% |
Operating Temp | -60°C to +500°C (short-term: 600°C) |
Coating Type | Silane (general), Acrylic (high-adhesion) |
Packaging | Tubes (200-600 mm diameter) or spools |
Certifications | ISO 9001, REACH, RoHS |
Applications & Case Studies
A. Wind Energy
Application: Wind turbine blades (primary reinforcement for spanwise and chordwise strength).
Case:
Vestas V150 turbine blades use E-glass rovings to reduce blade weight by 20% while maintaining 20+ year lifespan.
B. Automotive
Application: Lightweight body panels (e.g., hoods, doors) and interior components (e.g., dashboards).
Case:
BMW i3 uses fiberglass rovings in its carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) passenger cell for 30% weight reduction.
C. Marine
Application: Boat hulls, decks, and masts (corrosion-resistant alternative to steel/aluminum).
Case:
Benetti superyachts employ C-glass rovings in hull laminates to withstand saltwater exposure for 15+ years.
D. Construction
Application: Reinforced concrete (prestressed beams, bridge decks) and FRP rebar (corrosion-proof alternatives to steel).
Case:
The Golden Gate Bridge retrofit uses S-glass rovings in FRP rebar to extend service life by 50 years.
E. Industrial Piping
Application: Corrosion-resistant pipes and tanks (chemical processing, wastewater treatment).
Case:
Dow Chemical's chemical storage tanks use E-glass roving-reinforced polyester for 25+ years of leak-free service.