Glass Fibers

Glass fiber is a synthetic fiber made from minerals. It was discovered by Edward Drummond Libbey in the late 19th century. Glass fiber has a beautiful texture that isn't thin or sheer, but it's fairly stiff and lacks elasticity.

Glass fiber is made from the same raw materials used to make glass—namely silica sand and limestone, combined with aluminum hydroxide, sodium carbonate, and borax, with sand and limestone as the main ingredients. All the components are melted at a temperature of 3,000F to form small glass marbles. To turn these into fiber, they're melted into a liquid and extruded through a spinnerette, then allowed to harden, producing glass fiber, which is then spun into yarn and used to produce fabric.

Properties of Glass Fiber

Glass fiber has high tenacity and excellent shape retention. It doesn't absorb moisture, is difficult to dye, doesn't wrinkle, and doesn't burn—it melts at a temperature of 1,500 F. It bends well but doesn't withstand abrasion; when creased or the fabric edge is folded, it will crack or break with repeated friction. Short fibers are used in the cast plastics industry and for making fire insulation, while long fibers are used to produce decorative fabrics, such as for lampshades, fireproof curtains, screens, and ironing board covers. Glass fiber isn't suitable for making clothing, as it causes skin irritation, since the tiny tips of the fiber are harmful to the skin.

Cleaning Glass Fiber

When cleaning glass fiber, wash it with a mild soapy water solution—don't wring or fold it. It shouldn't be washed in a washing machine, no matter which washing machine brand it is. If using chlorine bleach, be sure to use it well diluted.