About AR-Glass Fiberglass
Fiberglass is a topic that carries a lot of diversity. There are many fiberglass materials. Fiberglass is generally decribed using the name of the glass in the fiber from which it is made. This article is going to relate basic information about fiberglass in general and how AR-Glass fiberglass fits into the subject.
One of Many Fiberglass Types
AR-Glass (alkali-resistant) is one of many types used for various fiberglass applications. Like many of the "letter named" glass types, the letter in the name refers to characteristics of the glass fiber used in the composite. AR-Glass fiberglass is a specific type among the types of fiberglass.
AR-Glass is commonly used in GFRC and is manufactured by many companies. A couple of the notable manufacturers of AR-Glass include:
AR-Glass Fiberglass Properties
Like most fiberglass, AR-Glass fiberglass is strong. In fact that is one of the reasons it is used. The strength relative to its weight makes it a highly effective and useful material for a variety of applications.
Alkali Resistance
AR-Glass is made resistant to alkali by adding zirconia (zirconium oxide) to the glass. Additionally, fibers having zirconia contents of greater than 18.99%. The resistance to alkali is important because concrete is very alkaline. In fact, normal E-Glass fiberglass degrades when used for reinforcing concrete.
Uses for AR-Glass Fibers
AR-Glass has been used in concrete for decades and results in a lighter weight product since the reinforcement the fiberglass provides allows for a thinner concrete that doesn't require steel reinforcement.
Countertops made from GFRC make use of AR-Glass fiberglass. However, it is not the only interior design element that uses this specific type of glass fiber. Other decorative applications also make use of this fiberglass type. One example is fireplace surrounds.
AR-Glass fiber is produced in various forms for different purposes. Chopped bundled fiber is one of the forms AR-Glass is used in when reinforcing concrete. The longer the fibers are, the more they tend to resist failure. Another form this type of fiberglass takes when reinforcing concrete is roving. This is one continuous strand of fiber and is most often used with other machinery. It gets chopped and mixed into the slurry during the concrete making process. Finally, scrim is a woven fabric made from roving. This woven fabric is also used in the concrete mixture for reinforcement.
Working AR-Glass Fiberglass Composite and Durability
Working with AR-Glass fiberglass requires some specific equipment, including personal protective equipment and machines to keep the workspace free of dust particles. As mentioned above, silica is one of the substances in A-Glass fiber that is used for the material. Dust control systems, safety glasses, protective gloves, and respirators are just some of the important equipment that is made to help reduce exposure to skin, eyes, nose throat, and lungs.
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