Glass that has been formed into fine fibres, either as long continuous filaments or as a fluffy, short-fibred glass wool. Fibreglass is heat- and fire-resistant and a good electrical insulator. It has applications in the field of fibre optics and as a strengthener for plastics in
GRP (glass-reinforced plastics).
The long filament form is made by forcing molten glass through the holes of a spinneret, and is woven into textiles. Glass wool is made by blowing streams of molten glass in a jet of high-pressure steam, and is used for electrical, sound, and thermal insulation, especially for the roof space in houses.
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