Fiberglass is a material that is commonly used in a variety of applications, from boatbuilding to home insulation. It is a lightweight, strong, and durable material that is both cost-effective and often times easier to work with than traditional materials. Fiberglass has been used for many years and is becoming increasingly popular due to its versatility, affordability, and strength. While fiberglass has many advantages, there are also some drawbacks that should be considered before using it.

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Advantages

Fiberglass is a lightweight material, which makes it ideal for applications where weight needs to be kept to a minimum. This makes it a great choice for boatbuilding and other applications where weight is a major factor. Fiberglass is also strong and durable, making it a great choice for applications where strength is needed. Additionally, it is also a cost-effective alternative to other materials, making it an attractive option for many applications. Fiberglass is also easy to work with, as it can be cut, molded, and shaped into a variety of shapes and forms.

Disadvantages

While fiberglass is strong and lightweight, it is also brittle and can be easily damaged. It is also difficult to repair, and any damage that is done to a fiberglass item will often require the replacement of the entire item. Additionally, fiberglass is not always the best choice for insulation due to its lack of thermal resistance.

Fiberglass is also hazardous to humans, as it can cause respiratory and skin irritations. It is also flammable, and so must be treated with care and caution when working with it. Additionally, fiberglass can be expensive to purchase, as it is not always the most affordable material.

Conclusion

Fiberglass is a versatile and cost-effective material that is used in many applications, from boatbuilding to insulation. While it has many advantages, such as its strength, durability, and lightweight properties, there are also some drawbacks that should be considered. These include its brittleness, difficulty to repair, and hazardous nature. If you are looking for an affordable and durable material, fiberglass may be the right choice for you. However, it is important to consider the drawbacks before making a decision.

Do you have a project in mind but have no idea where to start?  Let us help you.  One of the first things you will want to do is decide what kind of fiberglass you want to use.  Do you need to build up thickness fast?  Are you concerned about strength? Do you have tight corners you are working with?  Let us break things down a bit to help you decide if fiberglass cloth is right for your project or if you are needing chopped strand mat. Keep in mind that you can actually use both together to achieve your desired outcome. Below is an overview.

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Fiberglass Cloth

(Plain weave fiberglass cloth)

Fiberglass Clothis a woven fabric. Plain, 4 harness satin and 8 harness satin are the weave styles we carry. The 4, 6 and 10 ounce plain weave fabrics are the most commonly used. In this simple plain weave pattern, warp and fill yarns are interlaced over and under each other in alternating fashion. The plain weave is the easiest to handle since it does not unravel as much as the other weaves when cut.

In the four-harness satin weave pattern there is a three by one interfacing where a filling yarn floats over three warp yarns and under one.

The eight harness satin is similar to the four harness satin except that one filling yarn floats over seven warp yarns and under one. The satin weaves are slightly stronger and more pliable than the plain weave and are easier to conform to curved surfaces. They are more difficult to handle than the plain weave, though. Use fiberglass cloth when you are looking to create a strong, light weight product.

Chopped Strand Mat

Chopped Strand Mat (also known as fiberglass mat) has short strands of fibers held together with a resin binder. The fibers are randomly oriented. Mat is only compatible with polyester and vinyl ester resin. When resin is added to the mat, the binder dissolves and the fibers can be moved around. It is easier to conform mat to tight curves and corners than it is with weaved fabric. The reason chopped strand mat is not compatible with epoxy resin is because the binder holding the fibers together needs styrene to properly dissolve.  Polyester and vinyl ester resins have styrene in them. (There are some places that sell chopped strand mat that is compatible with epoxy but it is hard to come by and much more expensive). Chopped strand mat is the least expensive fiberglass and is often used in mold construction or projects where thickness is needed. Mat is often used as the first layer (before the gelcoat) in a laminate to prevent print through. Print through is when the fabric weave texture shows through the resin. Chopped Strand mat does not have much strength. If you need strength you should choose a woven cloth or you could mix the two. Mat can be used between layers of woven fabric to help build thickness quickly and aid in all layers bonding well together.

For info on more fiberglass reinforcements and resin, check out our Ultimate Fiberglass and Resin Guidebook for Beginners.

For more detailed information on each fiberglass cloth we carry, you can CLICK HERE.

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