Glass Filled Plastic – What is it? And What is it Used For?

Glass-filled plastic is a moldable composite material. It is made up of short glass fibres in a polymer material and is an excellent alternative for strong durable materials. The development of glass-filled plastic has allowed a fantastic alternative for heavy plastic or metals and has streamlined many manufacturing processes across all industries.

What can Glass-filled Plastic be Used for?

Glass-filled plastic is used more than you may think and can be used to manufacture a wide range of parts for industries including automotive, electrical, household and industrial.

Automotive: Glass-filled plastic is becoming increasingly popular in the automotive industry as it is a great, lightweight alternative for many metal parts. Some parts include fuel tank caps, bearings, gears, manifolds, windshield wiper parts and fan blades.

Electrical: Due to its electrical insulation, glass-filled plastic is used in many electrical products, including cameras, printers, earphones and electrical wiring.

Household: Many products within your home use glass-filled plastic including food storage boxes, utensils, toys, sportswear, combs, vacuum cleaners and screws.

Industrial: Glass-filled plastic is most commonly used in the industrial industry, producing products for companies all around the world. These products include pumps, fittings, conveyor belts, pipes, and other industrial machinery.

Properties

Glass-filled plastic holds many properties which allow it to be such a great material in a wide range of industries. These properties include:

High Strength/rigidity – Glass-filled plastic can withstand high levels of pressure and tension without breaking or changing shape. It is also very stiff and resistant to bending.

Chemical Resistance – Glass filled plastic can withstand exposure from many solvents, oils, fuels and grease.

Heat Resistance – Glass-filled plastic can withstand high temperatures without melting or losing any of its properties.

Low Thermal Expansion – When exposed to a temperature change, glass-filled plastic will not expand or change shape.

Moldability – Glass-filled plastic can be molded into many complex shapes and intricate designs.

Electrical Insulation – Glass-filled plastic is a great electrical insulator, making it the perfect material for electrical products or components.

Here at Rayda, we pride ourselves in the manufacturing of high-quality extrusion products. Contact us today and talk to us about your plastic extrusion needs to learn how we can help.