Long Glass Fiber Reinforcement
Durability and Fatigue Resistance for Demanding Applications
Reinforcing a thermoplastic with long glass fiber is a cost-effective way to boost mechanical properties of unreinforced resin systems and, even, short fiber solutions. It offers a noticeable improvement in stiffness and strength properties, but, more impressively, in impact strength. During processing these longer fibers intertwine and align to form an internal fiber skeleton that strengthens the polymer to help carry and dissipate stress forces – greatly increasing strength and impact resistance. This toughness is retained in demanding environments, such as cold temperatures (-60°F/-51°C).
Long glass fiber composites start as continuous filaments of fiber, which we melt-impregnate with thermoplastic polymer in our pultrusion process to create a high performance bond. These unidirectional fiber-reinforced strands are then cut into 1/2 inch (12 mm) composite pellets for convenient processing into net shapes via injection molding. Higher aspect ratio fiber reinforcement through the full length of our pellets results in more robust properties than short/chopped glass fiber filled compounds. This also includes a significant jump in cyclical fatigue endurance and creep.
Long glass fiber is a strong yet ductile fiber reinforcement solution that is commonly used in metal replacement applications due to the high strength properties, lower specific gravity and attractiveness of the injection molding processing method. In conjunction with the advantages of organic design possibilities from the injection molding forming process, it is common to see a 40-50% weight reduction in applications when switching from metal incumbents (aluminum, magnesium). Part consolidation is also an area of benefit as well – eliminating the weight of fasteners and minimizing the risk of secondary assembly steps.
Our long glass fiber reinforced products range from 20-70% fiber content (by weight) across a variety of resin systems ranging from polypropylene to higher performance engineering polymers such as PEEK. Additive technologies such as custom color, lubrication and UV performance enhancement are also available to customize your solution.
Impact
- Strong yet ductile fiber option
- Exceptional toughness retained at low and elevated temperatures
- High fatigue and creep endurance
- Mechanical property retention at low and elevated temperatures
- Colorable for product branding or quick identification
- Go-to material for metal replacement with favorable economics
- Greater properties than short fiber/chopped glass fiber filled compounds
Properties and Comparisons
Compare long glass fiber thermoplastics strength, toughness, impact data and more.
Increasing fiber weight percentages in composites provides a stepped approach to increase strength and toughness.
Long fiber reinforced thermoplastics are a good option to consider for metal replacement at a fraction of the weight.
Long glass fiber reinforced materials maintain impact performance during cold temperature use.
Long fiber composites can withstand over twenty times more bending flexural cycles in displacement scenarios than equivalent short fiber compounds.
| Test Method | LGF30-PA66 | LGF40-PA66 | LGF50-PA66 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Specific Gravity (ASTM D792) | 1.37 | 1.45 | 1.59 |
| Tensile Strength (psi) (ASTM D638) | 25,550 | 30,000 | 33,500 |
| Tensile Modulus (psi) (ASTM D638) | 1,400,000 | 1,800,000 | 2,300,000 |
| Flexural Strength (psi) (ASTM D790) | 38,300 | 42,900 | 51,300 |
| Flexural Modulus (psi) (ASTM D790) | 1,270,000 | 1,720,000 | 2,300,000 |
| Notched Izod Impact (ft-lb/in) (ASTM D256) | 2.4 | 3.7 | 4.6 |
| Unnotched Izod Impact (ft-lb/in) (ASTM D4812) | 13.0 | 17.5 | 22 |
| NAME | CATEGORY | DESCRIPTION | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seat Pan for Off-Road Recreational Vehicle | Case Study (Snapshot) | Complēt™ long glass fiber reinforced nylon composite consolidated multiple metal parts to streamline manufacturing and assembly of an ATV seat pan | View |