Glass fiber — Short glass fiber · reinforcing additive
Short glass strands with a coating that helps bond them to the polymer matrix. Compounding uses prepared fiber: glass fabric, glass mat and arbitrary crushed glass are not substitutes.
Properties
- May increase stiffness, strength and creep resistance.
- Helps retain shape under load when heated, within the matrix's capabilities.
- Fiber orientation makes properties and shrinkage direction-dependent.
Suitable polymers
PA6-, PA66- and PP-based compounds are common. Fibers are available for PE, PET/PBT, PC/ABS and high-temperature matrices, including PPS and PEI. Select the sizing and coupling components for the matrix, not merely for the GF designation.
Applications
Housings, mounts, engineering elements and tooling where high stiffness and reasonable cost are required.
Supply form
Chopped strands, fiber concentrates and ready-made glass-filled pellets.
In 3D printing
Control residual fiber length and distribution during compounding. For printing, account for nozzle wear and check strength along the beads and between layers.
Important considerations
Glass filling usually increases density relative to the base polymer. It does not automatically eliminate warping or replace thermal-profile tuning.