THE ADVANTAGES OF GLASS FIBER REINFORCED POLYMERS
Today's glass fiber reinforced polymers are commonly used across the medical, automotive, non-automotive vehicle, building and construction and industrial industries. With extensive experience compounding base materials with glass fiber additives, Americhem helps product developers and manufacturers achieve unique performance advantages for the most demanding applications.
We can combine a broad range of polymers, including PE, PP, PET, PTFE, PEEK, PSU, PPS and PPSU, with glass fibers. This can significantly improve a polymer matrix resin's strength, rigidity, stability and chemical resistance. Glass fiber reinforcements also allow products to withstand higher temperatures and resist warpage. They are often utilized in applications where corrosion is a threat and to reduce weight by substituting plastic for metal. Americhem's polycarbonate, aromatic ketone polymer and fluoropolymer product offerings exemplify our leadership in fiber additive technologies.
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THE BENEFITS OF GLASS FIBERS
The addition of glass fibers improves a wide range of mechanical properties. Glass fiber reinforcements can increase a polymer's:
- Strength — Glass fibers are strong and stiff, which improves the polymer's strength and stiffness.
- Rigidity — Glass fibers improve the rigidity of the polymer, making it more resistant to deformation under load.
- Dimensional stability — With the addition of glass fibers, a polymer's tendency to shrink or expand when subjected to changes in temperature or humidity is reduced.
- Impact resistance — Using glass fibers in a polymer improves its ability to absorb and resist impact forces.
- Heat resistance — Glass fibers have a high melting point, which improves a polymer's heat resistance.
- Chemical resistance — Because glass fibers are resistant to many chemicals, they can improve a polymer's chemical resistance.
- Durability — The addition of glass fibers enhances the durability of polymers by making them more resistant to wear and tear.
- Electrical Properties — Glass fiber reinforcement in polymers can significantly improve their electrical properties, mainly their dielectric strength and insulation capability.
You can rely on glass fiber reinforcements to provide the mechanical properties you need in your polymer.
APPLICATIONS FOR GLASS FIBER REINFORCED POLYMERS
With all of the mechanical properties glass fibers improve, glass fiber reinforced polymers are suitable for a broad array of applications, especially those requiring corrosion resistance. They're also a common substitute for metal when weight savings is needed. Applications include:
GLASS FIBERS ON THE EXTRUSION LINE
Americhem's glass fiber reinforced polymers are suitable for injection molding, blow molding and extrusion processes. Depending on your application, we can combine our glass fiber products with extrusion-grade materials so you can convert them into highly durable tubing, pipes, rods and other profiles that must withstand aggressive environments. Smooth surfaces can be achieved along with many other attributes through our tailored design approach and comprehensive manufacturing capabilities.
UNIFORM AND LONG-LASTING COLOR
Americhem has long been recognized for our custom color dispersions that help companies strengthen their brand identity and differentiate their products. Integrating glass fibers for reinforcement in no way alters or impacts the uniformity or colorfastness you would typically expect from our ColorFast® pre-colored engineered resins or ColorRX® medical-grade compounds. With our glass fiber, color additives perform as expected.
CAN AMERICHEM'S GLASS FIBER PRODUCTS BE CUSTOMIZED?
Absolutely! We can customize a polymer matrix to include the glass fiber properties you need while enhancing it with a wide variety of product additives. These additives include but are not limited to color, lubricants, flame retardants, anti-statics, UV stabilizers, thermally conductive agents, specialty process aids, carbon fiber, aramid fiber and other reinforcements like minerals.
We can even introduce metals such as stainless steel, iron, tungsten and barium sulfate. To ensure our products reach their maximum potential with their properties, we research and test glass fiber compatibility with different resin systems. We also strive to understand how different polymers process and how the end-use product will be expected to perform. Our competence in glass fiber applications translates into a distinct competitive edge for our customers.
BIOCOMPATIBLE SOLUTIONS FOR THE MEDICAL DEVICE MARKET
In the healthcare landscape where innovation, speed to market and cost are paramount, Americhem offers a complete line of customized biocompatible medical compounds. With glass fiber additives being one of our specialties, we can keep pace with the ever-changing needs of healthcare OEMs by creating custom formulations that elevate your position as a trusted, value-conscious supplier in a crowded and competitive marketplace.
Our advanced product lines deliver biocompatible filler and reinforcement options for today's medical products and devices with material offerings that address the unique demands of this patient-focused industry. Americhem's InLube™ internally lubricated compounds and alloys, InStruc® structurally reinforced compounds and InElec® electrically active crystalline and amorphous compounds can all be modified with glass fiber additives to impart added strength, durability, impact resistance and other benefits.
WHY CHOOSE AMERICHEM GLASS FIBER REINFORCED POLYMERS?
When it comes to glass fiber reinforced polymers, quality, value and performance are our bywords. You can rely on our strategic measures at every step to ensure the highest level of quality. Just as with our synthetic fibers, we do what it takes to drive your success. Our glass fiber additives can meet your most demanding application requirements. Americhem delivers lot-to-lot consistency with industry-standard testing methods and equipment. You get the full benefit of our glass fiber expertise, all with smaller minimum order quantities than most of the industry.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT GLASS FIBER ADDITIVES
As an industry leader in glass fiber additives, Americhem has the answers you need. Read the questions below to learn more, and contact us for the glass fiber reinforced polymer your application demands.
What Are Glass Fiber Additives?
Glass fiber additives are short, chopped fibers made of glass that are added to polymers to improve their mechanical properties.
Why Use Glass Fiber Reinforcements?
Glass fiber reinforcements are a great choice when you want to improve a polymer's strength, stiffness, dimensional stability, thermal resistance or impact resistance.
How Are Glass Fibers Incorporated Into Polymers?
Glass fibers can be added to polymers by blending them in a mixer or extruder.
What Types of Polymers Can Be Used With Glass Fiber Additives?
Americhem can incorporate glass fiber additives into numerous polymers, including:
- Fluoropolymers
- PEEK
- Polycarbonate
- Polypropylene
- Polyethylene
- Polyethylene terephthalate
- Polyphenylene Sulfide
- Polyphenylsulfone
- Polysulfone
- PTFE
TRUST YOUR GLASS FIBER ADDITIVE NEEDS TO AMERICHEM
Backed by years of experience, our expertise in glass fiber additives is unparalleled. You can depend on glass fiber reinforced polymers from Americhem for the mechanical properties your application demands. Contact us today to see what Americhem can do for you.