subject: The Uses Of Fibreglass [print this page] Throughout the last century, scientists have constantly strived to combine elements and compounds in order to create new and improved materials. Glassmakers throughout history have experimented with glass fibres and nowadays the result of those experiments, fibreglass, is a frequently used and highly recognisable product.
The compound is created by extruding thin strands of glass into many fibres with small diameters suitable for textile processing. The glass fibres created have a high ratio of surface area to weight which makes them useful for creating a range of products. Another feature of fibreglass is its level of thermal conductivity that makes it ideal for thermal insulation. With asbestos having been banned in 2005 by the European Union, the production of glass fibres has become more crucial to businesses and industry.
Safety is a key element when analysing the use of fibreglass as it has had to take on a lot of the roles performed by asbestos, since it was discovered that the inhalation of asbestos fibres can causes serious illnesses such as lung cancer. There are some concerns that glass fibres, which like asbestos are also made up of silicate fibres, can cause damage to the body when inhaled too. However, it is thought that as it is man-made rather than naturally occurring, the glass fibres dissolve in the lungs and there is little evidence to suggest that it can be harmful.
Certainly, few people appear to be worried about the impact of fibreglass as it is used in an enormous amount of products. One of the most interesting products that the compound can be used to create is pole vaults. It offers exactly the right level of flexibility to allow the pole to bend but not snap in order to help propel the athlete over a high bar. Another sport that utilises the properties of this combination of polymers is archery. The string to a crossbow is the most obvious example of glass fibres in archery, although the crossbow itself and the arrow often contain the compound. The string to the bow has to maintain a level of flexibility in order to snap back and launch the arrow toward the target.
Household and interior uses remain the major market for glass fibres, with both thermal and electric insulation helping to keep businesses and homes warm. The density of the fibres also makes them excellent for sound absorption, meaning recording studios and music venues can also make the most of this versatile compound's properties.
