Daniella JacquesGrade 11Academie de la CapitaleMarch 12, 2014Glass-Reinforced PolymersIntroduction of topic:What is reinforced glass fibers?What is, its chemical composition? (Unsure of placement)History of the development/creation of this substance.

Outline:Development: Where can it be found?/How is it used by industries; and by which? USESHow is it presently being created by the industries? / What is the process?/What are the chemical reactions which occur?Conclusion:Pros & Cons: Are there better and/or less costly (profits, expenses, time, etc..) alternatives? What effects does it have on?Mention of research projects currently being done to improve or for altenatives.Extras:Images&GraphsQuestions&DiscussionsBibliographyA composite made from combined glass fiber filaments in a polymer resin; most commonly known as GRP and Fiberglass.What are glass-reinforced polymer fibers?

04a-fiberglass-sheet. Digital image. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Mar. 2014. .Commercial use is fairly recent as the concept is quite old.Glasswool (short stranded fibers) was first produced in Europe, at the turn of the century.By World War 1 (WW1) glass fiber insulation was being manufactured in Germany.In the 1930s, research & development focused on the industrial production of GRPs.GRP itself, was first officially used in World War 2 (WW2). History:

Solar Feeds. Digital image.Solar Feeds. N.p., 2014. Web. 13 Mar. 2014. .Basic Components: natural minerals & manufactured chemicalsMajor Ingredients: silica sand (SiO2), limestone(CaCo3), and soda ashOther: calcined alumina, borax, filedspar, nepheline syenite, magnesite, etc

Chemical Composition:

BatchingMeltingFiberazationContinuous-filament process or Staple-fiber process or Chopped Fiber processProtective CoatingFormingInspectionManufacturing Process:

Primary uses are:Electrical InsulationThermal & Acoustic InsulationHeat ResistanceUses:

Automobile: 1935 Chevrolet Corvette model was 1rst to have a fiberglass body.Construction: Domes, molding, fountains, roofs, Aviation & Aerospace: Luggage racksBoats & Marine: Ideally suited for the construction of boatsElectronics: Circuit board & everything from a phone to computerLeisure & Home: Disneyland (the structures), furniture, jacuzzi, clothingMedical: Instrument enclosures to x-ray bedsWind Energy: The turbines bladesUses:Cancer society has declared that certain plastic resins may be carcinogensStudies are being done to see if certain GRP emmitions are carcinogensIt is an irritantA 2006 study published that GRP altered components of the lungs of manufacturing workersCons:MouldableHas a high strength to weight rationLong-lasting and low-maintnanceCan be couloured, shiny or dullAnti-mangeticGood electrical insulatorFire resistantWeather proofUnaffected by any chemicals apart for Sulfuric AcidAlmost all the waste from production is recyclablePros:Advantages & Disadvantages:Few successful alternatives (for it is, itself, an alternative)Examples are: bamboo, hemp, silk, basalt, etcAlternatives:

GRPs can be found everywhere since this composites unique and useful properties, guaranties it to be one of the most versatile and easy to use composites in our modern society.

There are many different composites of reinforced-glass fibers such as Fiberglass (GRP), Glass-Fiber Reinforced Concrete (GFRC), Glass-Fiber Reinforced Stone (GFRS), and Glass-Reinforced Gypsum (GFRG), etc.Conclusion:Questions & Discussion"Fiberglass Manufacturing and the Environment: Fact Sheet." State of Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, n.d. Web. 13 Mar. 2014. .Gardner, Ginger. "The Making of Glass Fiber : CompositesWorld."The Making of Glass Fiber : CompositesWorld. Composites TECNOLOGY, 29 Apr. 2009. Web. 13 Mar. 2014. ."GFRP - Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer.". Lightweight, Durable Architectural Fiberglass. Stromberg Architectural, KrystalClear, MyBaluster, StonPly, TerraGlas, n.d. Web. 11 Mar. 2014. ."GFRS - Glass Fiber Reinforced Stone.". Lightweight, Architectural Fiberglass Alternative to Cut Stone.Stromberg, KrystalClear, MyBaluster, StonePly, TerraGlas, 2012. Web. 11 Mar. 2014. ."How Products Are Made Volume 2."How Fiberglass Is Made. Advameg, Inc., 2014. Web. 12 Mar. 2014. .Johnson, Todd. "Fiberglass - What Is Fiberglass."About.com Composites / Plastics. About.com Industry, 2014. Web. 11 Mar. 2014. .Johnson, Todd. "Uses of Fiberglass."About.com Composites / Plastics. About.com Industry, 2014. Web. 11 Mar. 2014. ."Stromberg GFRC."GFRC. Stromberg, KrystalClear, MyBaluster, StonePly, TerraGlas, 2012. Web. 11 Mar. 2014. ."Stromberg GFRG."GFRG. Stromberg, KrystalClear, MyBaluster, StonePly, TerraGlas, 2012. Web. 11 Mar. 2014. .Thibodeaux, Wanda. "How Is Fiberglass Made?"EHow. Demand Media, 30 Apr. 2009. Web. 12 Mar. 2014. ."Working with Fibreglass."- WorkSafe. Wa.gov.au, 17 Jan. 29008. Web. 13 Mar. 2014. .

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