Spun glass is created by heating glass rods at very high temperatures and then stretching and bending the rods into a desired shape before the glass cools. It has various uses, from decorative to industrial.
Decorative Use
Throughout history, figurines ornaments, jewelry and home decor items made of spun glass have been prized by collectors. Clear glass rods are combined with colored rods to form interesting shapes and one-of-a-kind color combinations which can be sculpted into delicate and intricately designed objects.
Commercial Use
Polyester resins or plastics are sometimes combined with spun glass to form sheets of varied thickness used for boat hulls and other such items that must be sturdy yet lightweight. In addition, the material known as fiberglass is a form of spun glass which is stretched into short, superfine particles to be used as insulation in home construction. Spun glass is also used to create filters for air conditioners.
Fabrics
Spun glass can also be used in textile manufacturing. The glass is drawn and stretched into very fine threads. Before it has completely cooled, it is malleable enough to be woven with wool or linen to create fabrics with a subtle sheen often used for draperies.
