# Talk:Glass fiber

Since there are basalt fibers and glass fibers, has Pele's Hair been used for fibers? Has it been tested for strength?
Pele's hair.
http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/Products/Pglossary/PeleHair.html Bob Clark

Hi, i found a source in german from 1872 stating the invention of glass fibers by Jules de Brunfaut (French) in 1849 and their use in textiles and filters (Emanuel Herrmann: Miniaturbilder aus dem Gebiete der Wirthschaft. Nebert, 1872. p. 23–29.) And another source (by Saint Gobain) describes the invention (german patent 539738) of glass fiber non-wovens by Friedrich Rosengarth (German) in 1930, which was subsequently bought by the author. What to make of it? Cheers, --Ghilt (talk) 22:49, 28 January 2015 (UTC)

I think that this is a cool substance that is a bit counter-intuitive. A student, 159.191.188.254 (talk) 18:18, 22 September 2016 (UTC)

The most common types of glass fiber used in fiberglass is E-glass, which is alumino-borosilicate glass with less than 1% w/w alkali oxides, mainly used for glass-reinforced plastics. Other types of glass used are A-glass (Alkali-lime glass with little or no boron oxide), E-CR-glass (Electrical/Chemical Resistance; alumino-lime silicate with less than 1% w/w alkali oxides, with high acid resistance), C-glass (alkali-lime glass with high boron oxide content, used for glass staple fibers and insulation), D-glass (borosilicate glass, named for its low Dielectric constant), R-glass (alumino silicate glass without MgO and CaO with high mechanical requirements as reinforcement), and S-glass (alumino silicate glass without CaO but with high MgO content with high tensile strength).[4]
Pure silica (silicon dioxide), when cooled as fused quartz into a glass with no true melting point, can be used as a glass fiber for fiberglass, but has the drawback that it must be worked at very high temperatures. In order to lower the necessary work temperature, other materials are introduced as "fluxing agents" (i.e., components to lower the melting point). Ordinary A-glass ("A" for "alkali-lime") or soda lime glass, crushed and ready to be remelted, as so-called cullet glass, was the first type of glass used for fiberglass. E-glass ("E" because of initial electrical application), is alkali free, and was the first glass formulation used for continuous filament formation. It now makes up most of the fiberglass production in the world, and also is the single largest consumer of boron minerals globally. It is susceptible to chloride ion attack and is a poor choice for marine applications. S-glass ("S" for "Strength") is used when high tensile strength (modulus) is important, and is thus an important building and aircraft epoxy composite. The same substance is known as R-glass ("R" for "reinforcement") in Europe). C-glass ("C" for "chemical resistance") and T-glass ("T" is for "thermal insulator" – a North American variant of C-glass) are resistant to chemical attack; both are often found in insulation-grades of blown fiberglass.[5][5]
Chemistry[edit]
The basis of textile-grade glass fibers is silica, SiO2. In its pure form it exists as a polymer, (SiO2)n. It has no true melting point but softens up to 1200 °C, where it starts to degrade. At 1713 °C, most of the molecules can move about freely. If the glass is extruded and cooled quickly at this temperature, it will be unable to form an ordered structure.[6] In the polymer it forms SiO4 groups which are configured as a tetrahedron with the silicon atom at the center, and four oxygen atoms at the corners. These atoms then form a network bonded at the corners by sharing the oxygen atoms.
The vitreous and crystalline states of silica (glass and quartz) have similar energy levels on a molecular basis, also implying that the glassy form is extremely stable. In order to induce crystallization, it must be heated to temperatures above 1200 °C for long periods of time.[2]
Although pure silica is a perfectly viable glass and glass fiber, it must be worked with at very high temperatures, which is a drawback unless its specific chemical properties are needed. It is usual to introduce impurities into the glass in the form of other materials to lower its working temperature. These materials also impart various other properties to the glass that may be beneficial in different applications. The first type of glass used for fiber was soda lime glass or A-glass ("A" for the alkali it contains). It is not very resistant to alkali. A new type, E-glass, was formed; this is an alumino-borosilicate glass that is alkali-free (<2%).[7] This was the first glass formulation used for continuous filament formation. E-glass still makes up most of the glass fiber production in the world. Its particular components may differ slightly in percentage, but must fall within a specific range. The letter E is used because it was originally for electrical applications. S-glass (S for "stiff") is a high-strength formulation for use when tensile strength is the most important property. C-glass was developed to resist attack from chemicals, mostly acids that destroy E-glass.[7] T-glass is a North American variant of C-glass. A-glass is an industry term for cullet glass, often bottles, made into fiber. AR-glass is alkali-resistant glass. Most glass fibers have limited solubility in water but are very dependent on pH. Chloride ions will also attack and dissolve E-glass surfaces.  — Preceding unsigned comment added by 60.230.204.200 (talk) 06:21, 12 January 2017 (UTC) 

I do not have access to the source used for the compressive properties of glass fibers to know how the authors derived those values seen here [Properties Table]. Compressive strength of a fiber is very difficult to actually measure as the fibers will buckle like a column when under compressive load. So I am not sure what is actually meant by "compressive strength" in that chart. Other sources actually state the the compressive strength of glass fibers is roughly equal to their tensile strength . I think those compressive values need verification Bob Clemintime (talk) 20:11, 7 November 2020 (UTC)

Optical fiber is mentioned twice, at the very top, and at the very bottom (See also) of the article. But it isn't mentioned where I'd expect it, in the "Uses" section. Perhaps there is a reason for that, but if there isn't, I think adding it to the section would be helpful.--95.88.231.174 (talk) 00:24, 23 August 2022 (UTC)