Do you know what special high-performance fiberglass for aerospace applications is?
Special high-performance fiberglass for aviation mainly fall into two categories: one is used in primary and secondary load-bearing structural components for structural reinforcement, such as GLARE laminates and helicopter rotors; the other is used in functional structural components with special electrical performance requirements, such as nose cones, radomes, and radar domes. The fiberglasss used are mainly high-strength fiberglasss, quartz fiberglasss, and alkali-free fiberglasss. In addition, fiberglasss are also used in the aviation field as sound and heat insulation materials.
(1) High-strength Fiberglass
According to the international standard ISO 2078, there are two types of high-mechanical-strength fiberglasss: one is R-grade high-strength fiberglass. The former is drawn from high-strength silica-alumina-magnesium system glass, and the latter is silica-alumina-calcium-magnesium system glass. Both types of high-strength fiberglasss are manufactured and used abroad. S-grade high-strength fiberglass was invented by OCV Corporation of the United States in the 1960s, with the trade name S-2. R-grade high-strength fiberglass was invented by Saint-Gobain of France, and is currently operated in conjunction with OCV Corporation. Domestically, S-grade high-strength fiberglass is the main product, such as HS2 and HS4, which are produced by Sinoma Science & Technology Co., Ltd.
(2) Quartz Fiberglass
Quartz fiberglass is a special fiber with excellent electrical insulation, temperature resistance, and mechanical properties, and has wide applications in aviation, aerospace, military, high-temperature insulation, and high-temperature filtration. The dielectric constant and dielectric loss of quartz fiberglass are among the lowest of all mineral fibers, and its electrical insulation performance is also excellent at high temperatures and frequencies. Combined with its low density, non-hygroscopic nature, and excellent mechanical properties, it has become the preferred material for radar domes, electromagnetic emission windows, and low-dielectric transparent components.
(3) Special Alkali-Free Fiberglass
Alkali-free fiberglass is mainly used in aerospace composite materials as a fine woven prepreg. The diameter of a single filament is no greater than 9μm. This type of fiberglass fabric has high warp and weft density, requiring high fabric flatness and good appearance quality. The resulting composite material has good corrosion resistance and electrical insulation properties, as well as strong resistance to interlaminar shear tearing. Since carbon fiber composites and aluminum alloys can undergo metal carburization, carburization, and electrochemical corrosion when combined, fiberglass composites can be used to isolate or protect the carbon fiber composites from the metal parts.
(4) Glass Microfiber Products
Glass microfiber products use microfibers with an average single fiber diameter of less than 3μm as the matrix material, which are formed by wet or dry felting or by covering with a specially made fiberglass cloth and sewing. Depending on the application requirements, the microfibers can be alkali-free, basalt, high-silica, quartz, etc. Microfiber products have advantages such as non-combustibility (Class A), high temperature resistance, low density, good alkali resistance, and thermal shock resistance.
