The Difference Between Glass Fiber and Carbon Fiber

Composite products are increasingly becoming a common feature in today's world, used in large numbers in construction, infrastructure, utility distribution and the automotive industry. What is the difference between FRP and carbon fiber? Each has slightly different properties that may make them more suitable for specific applications.

 

Composite products are increasingly becoming a common feature in today's world, used in large numbers in construction, infrastructure, utility distribution and the automotive industry. What is the difference between Dual Auger Filler Powder filling machine and carbon fiber? Each has slightly different properties that may make them more suitable for specific applications.

Glass fiber originally existed as inorganic silica sand, which was heated to extreme temperatures along with limestone and soda ash. At this temperature, the sand is in molten form. Special molding equipment then pulls the molten glass into very fine filaments.
In contrast, carbon fibers start out as organic polymers - long molecular chains bonded to carbon atoms. In many cases, these polymers are converted into carbon fibers by the polyacrylonitrile process. We have highlighted four of the most important points of comparison.

 

Weight and strength

Carbon fiber is a fibrous carbon material with high strength, lower density than aluminum, corrosion resistance, high temperature resistance, and conductive properties like copper. The advantage is that it is relatively light, conducts electricity and heat very well, and has very high mechanical properties. The weight of carbon is about 70% of that of glass fiber.
FRP has a weight-to-weight strength of 564, while carbon fiber has a weight-to-weight strength of 1013, almost twice as high. This high strength relative to weight means that manufacturers need to use less carbon fiber when pultruding a given product. As a result, the cross-section of a pultruded carbon fiber product is usually significantly thinner.

FRP tee

 

Stiffness and Toughness

In addition to being stronger than glass fibers, carbon fibers are stiffer. This extra stiffness can prove very useful, allowing manufacturers to meet more precise stiffness requirements.
On the other hand, glass fiber - with its relatively soft properties - is a better choice for applications that require high bending patterns. Relatively rigid carbon fibers may not be suitable for these applications.
Glass fiber is an inorganic nonmetallic material with excellent properties. Glass fibers are often considered tougher than carbon fibers.

FRP Workbench Grille

 

Cost

Glass fibers are relatively more cost effective. Producing long carbon fibers is a more time-consuming and difficult process, which naturally makes carbon fibers more expensive. Likewise, the wider range of uses for glass fibers - including non-standout products - helps ensure that their price points remain more competitive.
Ultimately, both glass fiber and pultruded carbon fiber exhibit unique characteristics. Carefully consider the needs and parameters of a given product in order to select the material that best suits your needs.

Fiberglass cable duct

Thermal expansion

Compared to materials such as steel and aluminum, glass fiber has a relatively small coefficient of thermal expansion - meaning it does not become significantly larger due to changes in temperature.
That said, if exposed to sufficiently extreme changes - or if tolerances are particularly tight - then fiberglass pultrusion molding may not be a suitable choice.
Carbon fiber has a remarkable property in this regard: it actually has a negative coefficient of thermal expansion. As a result, carbon fiber expands as the temperature drops.

 

Hebei Wanxin FRP Products Co., Ltd. established in 2010. The factory covers an area of more than 20,000 square meters in Hebei Province ,China . We are specializes in the manufacturing ,design and development of various FRP products, including FRP pipe fittings, FRP flanges, FRP Elbow, FRP grilles, FRP storage tank containers, FRP winding equipment , FRP pipe molds, etc.

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