Property Comparisons of Fiberglass/Composites and Alternatives Materials

PROPERTY
Units
ATM Test Method
Fiberglass Reinforced
Thermosets
Polyester preform, low profile
(Compression)
general purpose
high glass
Carbon/ Epoxy
fabric
Polyester SMC LP low profile
(Compression)
general purpose
high glass
Carbon/ Vinyl Ester
Polyester BMC (compression)
Polyester BMC (injection)
Polyester
(pultruded)
Polyester
(spray-up, lay-up)
Polyester woven roving
(Lay-up)
Epoxy
(filament wound)
Polyurethane, milled fibers (RRIM)
glass flake (RRIM)

Glass
Fiber

Specific
Gravity

Density

Tensile
Strength

Tensile
Modulus

Elongation

Flexural
Strength

Flexural
Modulus

Compress
Strength

Impact
Strength

lb./in3

103 psi

106 psi

103 psi

106 psi

103 psi

ft.lb/in
of notch

D638

D638

D638

D790

D695

D256

1.70
1.80
2.25
2.10
1.70
1.70
2.27
6.00
1.75
1.53
2.50
1.00
2.25
4.00
-----

2.5
2.5
2.5
1.0
<1
0.4
1.7
0.4
0.5
0.5
--1.3
1.6
1.6
140.0
38.9

28.5
27.0
38.5
25.0
26.0
21.2
45.0
71.0
12.8
12.7
30.0
28.0
46.0
100.0
-----

1.32
1.10
1.50
2.00
1.60
1.40
2.00
4.00
1.58
1.44
1.60
0.75
2.25
5.00
0.05
0.15

20.0
25.0
32.0

20.8
18.0
23.0

24.0
23.0
32.0

16.0
12.0
19.4

20.0
--30.0
22.0
37.0
45.0
-----

4.3
2.9
25.0
14.0
33.0
45.0

0.90
1.25
1.05
1.20
0.75
1.20
1.30

2.0
3.0
3.0
1.9
9.0
4.0
6.6

15.5
28.0
29.0
35.0
16.0
28.0
32.0

0.87
1.10
1.20
1.30
0.60
1.40
1.42

14.0
17.0
24.0
26.5
14.0
18.0
25.0

1.4
1.8
2.3
2.0
3.7
1.8
1.8

D790

D792

24
25
40

1.74
1.55
1.70

0.063
0.056
0.061

30
22
50

0.067
0.064
0.072

22
22
55
30
50
80
13
23

1.85
1.78
2.00
1.50
1.82
1.82
1.69
1.37
1.64
2.08
1.07
1.17

0.066
0.066
0.061
0.049
0.059
0.075
0.039
0.042

11.5
13.5
21.5
23.0
12.0
10.5
23.0
22.0
6.0
4.9
30.0
12.5
37.0
80.0
2.8
4.4

20
25
30
30
10
30
30

1.22
1.61
1.37
1.48
1.26
1.52
1.56

0.044
0.058
0.049
0.053
0.045
0.055
0.056

11.0
18.5
23.0
36.0
12.0
19.0
21.0

2.1

Fiberglass Reinforced
Thermoplastics
ABS
Acetal
Nylon 6
Nylon 6/6
Polycarbonate
Polyester (PBT)
Polyester (PET)

Polyphenylene ether (PPO)

Polyphenylene sulfide
Polypropylene
SAN

20
40
20
20

1.21
1.64
1.04
1.22

0.044
0.059
0.037
0.044

14.5
22.0
6.5
14.5

0.92
2.05
0.54
1.25

5.0
3.0
3.0
1.8

18.5
37.0
8.3
19.0

* Polester thermosets can be formulated to meet a wide range of flame, smoke and toxicity specifications.

0.75
1.90
0.52
1.10

17.6
21.0
25.0
17.5

1.7
1.5
3.0
1.0

Chart 1
Flammability

Specific
Heat

Thermal
Coeff of

BTU
/lb. oF

106 in./
in. oF

UL-94

*
*
*

0.30
0.30
0.30

*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
V-0
V-0
V-0

0.30
0.30
0.30

HB
HB
HB
HB
V-1
HB
HB

------0.30
0.29
0.11
---

0.30
0.28
0.31
--0.23
-----

Thermal
Conduct.

Dielectric
Strength

Water
Absorption

Mold
Shrinkage

F at
264 psi

BTU/hr./
ft3/oF/in.

V/mil.

in./in.

D696

D648

C177

D149

% in 24
hrs.
D570

14.0
14.0
14.0
*
12.0
12.0
15.0
*
8.0
4.0

400+
350+
400+

1.3
1.5
1.5

0.80
0.25
0.40

0.000
0.001
0.0005

400+
350+
500

1.5
1.5
1.5
1.5
1.5
1.5
--1.92
-----

0.20
0.20
0.50
0.13
0.50
0.50
0.50
0.50
0.50
-------

0.001
0.001
0.0005

500
--400+
400+
400+
-----

400
400
400
N/A
400
400
375
N/A
200
250
350
300
-----

220
325
420
480
300
430
420

1.4
--5.8-11.4
1.5
4.6
7.0
6.5

465
580
500
400
500
375
520

0.14
0.29
1.10
0.90
0.14
0.06
0.05

0.002
0.004
0.004
0.002
0.001
0.003
0.003

-----

21.0
47.0
17.0
13.0
18.0
12.0
17.0

Heat
Distortion
o

D955

0.001
--0.003
0.002
0.008
-------

HB
V-0/5V
HB
HB

0.30
0.25
-----

20.0
11.0
24.0
21.0

310
510
295
215

3.8
2.0
8.4
2.8

500
380
440
490

0.06
0.01
0.03
0.10

0.003
0.002
0.003
0.002