HOUSTON, March 14, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Owens Corning, the leading global producer of glass fiber reinforcements, today announced the availability of the first-ever chemical resistance guide for glass fibers at the international trade show for the National Association of Corrosion Engineers. The guide provides information to help end-users, engineers and fabricators select the optimum glass fiber reinforcements for use in fiberglass-reinforced polymer (FRP) applications used in corrosive environments.
"We talked with specifiers and end-users and realized that the corrosion market was missing an important tool," said Vice President of Innovation for the Composite Solutions Business Ashish Diwanji. "This guide will help FRP designers balance cost and performance when selecting the best glass fiber to meet their needs."
The Glass Fiber Reinforcement Chemical Resistance Guide contains test results, examples of specifications and information about industry standards for glass fiber compositions used in FRP applications. The results were compiled from tests conducted in the laboratory and knowledge gained in the company's field experience and illustrates the effect of various chemicals on different glass fibers. Examples of writing specifications are provided to ensure accuracy and consistency. The company included industry standards for glass fibers used to resist corrosion because selecting the right glass fiber is a key factor in corrosion resistance and can lower the risk of failure.
Owens Corning is the world's leading producer of corrosion-resistant glass fibers including its patented Advantex® glass which meets ASTM D578, ISO 2078, and DIN1259-1 standards. Advantex® glass has enhanced corrosion-resistant properties and tests indicate it performs well when exposed to corrosive chemicals.
There is a proliferation of applications where corrosion-resistant properties are required, such as the new equipment for pollution control, mining, chemical processing, desalination plants and a variety of saltwater marine applications including tidal energy installations.
"Owens Corning is in a unique position to present the guide because of our material science competencies in corrosion, glass and surface chemistry," said Diwanji. "These competencies enabled us to invent most of the glass fiber types used today in FRP."
The Glass Fiber Reinforcement Chemical Resistance Guide can be downloaded from the company's website at www.owenscorning.com/composites/aboutAdvantex.asp.
About Owens Corning
Owens Corning (NYSE: OC) is a leading global producer of glass fiber reinforcements and engineered materials for composite systems and residential and commercial building materials. A Fortune® 500 company for 56 consecutive years, Owens Corning is committed to driving sustainability by delivering solutions, transforming markets and enhancing lives. Founded in 1938, Owens Corning had sales of $5 billion in 2010 and about 15,000 employees in 28 countries on five continents. OCV™ Reinforcements, OCV™ Technical Fabrics and OCV™ Non-Woven Technologies are the three main business units that make up the Owens Corning Composite Solutions Business. The businesses are market-leading innovators in glass-fiber technology delivering a broad range of reinforcement products that provide lightweight alternatives to steel, wood and aluminum, thereby reducing weight and improving energy efficiency. Additional information is available at www.owenscorning.com.
