We are living in a ‘World of Materials’...
In a world where the horizon of Human Endeavour and Ambition is limited only by the imagination, ‘doing the best with what we have’ has, for some time now...
been a slogan of the past.
Welcome to the world of Glass Fibre and Glass Fabrics...and their multiple derivatives!
The Valmiera Group is an over Euro 100 Million Group of Companies with a customer base spread across 50+ countries.
This stature stems from their highly acclaimed Technical Expertise gathered over 50 Years and cemented by their landmark attention to detail and Quality of the strictest industry standard, their unwavering Focus on Innovation, Innovative Production, and application Technologies, with their Production processes using the most up-to-date manufacturing, equipment, and facilities.
In the Industry, they are the only Company with a vertically integrated structure.
This points to the Products being subjected to Quality Checks and process controls at every stage of the process...from concept and design to the finished Product.
Their 2 Plants, in parent Latvia & the UK, are dedicated centers, manufacturing specific groups of products within their entire unparalleled range.
This exclusivity gives the advantage of each product group being manufactured by specialized expertise and production processes. The sum result is a simple assurance to the end user.
For any conceivable application of Glass-FRP, the Valmiera Group has a product to fulfill your requirement: a Product that is globally acknowledged as among the very best in the world.
High Silica Fabric
With a comfortable Operating Thermal Capacity of above 1000°C, our ‘High Silica’ Glass Fabric is a highly, perhaps the most, specialized Fabric...with very exclusive characteristics.
Resistance to extremely high temperatures, low Weight and High Strength is the inherent winning combination of these Fabrics.
Before its specifics are laid down, however, there is a theory surrounding it that needs mention: the theory that suggests -The higher the Silica content, the better the Fabric. This logic of a high percentage - 98 or even 99% being the target – has, however, never been explained or even understood.
A few manufacturers use normal E-Glass (55% Silica content) and ‘leach’ it with a Strong acid to obtain a 98 - 99% Silica-rich Fabric.
Valmiera uses a special E-Glass Fabric, with over 76% Silica and Aluminium Oxide (Al2O3) - 3.5±0.5% - in it, for the production of the High Silica Fabric: this is the differentiator...Furthermore, a Soft Acid is used to leach the Fabric, with the aim of just 95-96% Silica content in the Fabric. This leads to a few exclusive advantages...
• Aluminium Oxide has a higher melting temperature of 660°C and is a very soft and ductile material. This, in turn, enhances the temperature resistance of our Fabrics to a minimum of 1250°C, while making them extremely soft to use. The ‘Soft’ Acid treatment and optimal leaching results in a High(er) Tensile strength of the resultant Fabric.
• The Shrinkage Factor is a very nominal and acceptable 1.5%. This superior Technology and Production process is the reason for the Valmiera’s High Silica Fabric to beaccepted by the government in the USA for Defence applications as well as for many critical application areas in Japan.
Their High-Temperature resistance, Physical and Chemical properties, are defined by the High Silica Glass used and the admixture of Aluminium oxide. These fabrics are the obvious choice in a wide range of High-Temperature Insulation and Protection applications.
• They are ideal for Furnace Curtains, Stress relief Blankets, Expansion Joints and Protective clothing.
• They find use in applications to protect personnel and equipment against damage from extreme heat,
molten metal and sparks in welding operations, burning and heat treating operations.
Thermal Insulation is a critical requirement of Automobile Exhaust Systems today and a major application area for our High Silica Fabrics. This is especially true of the mandated ‘BS6 standard’, where they are the perfect and proven solution to the high degree of Thermal Insulation required for compliance. The range of our High Silica Fabrics starts at 175gsm and is available in different widths and weights to suit different application parameters.
HR Resist Glass Fabric (HR)
This Fabric is unique...Its areas of application are the same as the rest and it performs to equally high standards: it is their Thermal Capacity of 800°C that sets them apart.
This mid-range Thermal Capacity, makes this Fabric an idealbridge between the Temperature range of 600°C, the domain of the ‘E-Glass’ Fabrics...and the range of up to and above 1000°C, where the ‘High Silica’ Fabric is indispensable.
Perhaps the most decisive feature of any Product is its cost-effectiveness, by being the ‘optimal’ choice... this Fabric definesthat feature. Its other impressive advantage, comes from being processed from Alkali free-Alumina Silicate Glass that does not contain Boron(Oxide) and Fluorine.
This eliminates Boron Oxideladen emissions during the Glass melting process, thus making its manufacture Environment-friendly.In comparison to the E-Glass based products, its exhibits:
• Better Chemical inertness, particularly in acidic, alkaline and water environments.
• Enhanced Thermal resistance and Dielectric properties.
• Equal Durability.
It has in fact, the potential to fully substitute E-Glass in various aspects.HR-Glass Fiber Yarns. Thermal Resistance: 800 degrees Celcius. The distinctive characteristics of this group are its Dielectric properties and higher Chemical resistance to both Acids and Alkalis. It is therefore used in applications where such resistance isrequired.A distinguishing feature is its mid-range thermal capacity, giving freedom of choice. They are available as, both Single and Twisted/ Plied.
Laminated Glass fabric
Resistance to Abrasion and Buckling, Media and Gas Tightness, High Thermal Resistivity, and Radiation Reflecting capability...Applications, where one or more of these criteria need to be met,are the targets of this group of Fabrics. These are the added-on properties of the Metalized Polyester or Aluminum Foils, which are bonded or ‘Laminated’ to the Fabric Layer.
The Laminates retain their original High-Temperature resistance and insulation characteristics.These Laminated Fabrics for Thermal insulation are used as Tube, Wire and Cable insulation and insulation for the Automotive Industry among others.They are the Fabrics used in the making of Equipment and Clothing for personnel protection, especially in High Temperature and Fire Hazard environments of Industrial processes.
Coated glass fabric
These Fabrics differ from those of the ‘Laminated’ category, in that they are surface treated by the application of materials ‘coated’ to the Fabric Layer.
The concept however, is the same, whereby these ‘coated’materials give beneficial properties for a specific application, to the finished Fabric.The variety of coating materials used, each with their own exclusive properties, makes this group one of the most versatile collection, covering a broad spectrum of applications.
Common among these, are those calling for improved abrasion and cut resistance, flame resistance andprotection against liquid metal.Moreover, these Fabrics are available in different thicknesses, depending on the application.
All these characteristics together make the Fabrics in this group, the preferred choice for almost any application.
Some of the more important and common Coatings include Premium (PU) and Industrial (PH) Polyurethane,Premium (SI) and Industrial (SH) Silicone, Gum stock, Intumescent Graphite filled coating (BI) andNeoprene (N).Coatings also come in combination with Aluminum foil or Metalized Polyester foil (AL or MPF).
Textured Glass Fabric (GT)
The Fabrics under this group are made from Textured Yarns, processed from Alkali free-Alumina Borosilicate E-Type Glass and have an operating Temperature Resistance of 600°C. Typically, the filament Diameters of the Yarns used are 6 and 9 μm.
The main application of these GT-Fabrics, is their use as Heat and Acoustic Insulating materials, Heat absorbing material in Thermal Compensators, as well as in the manufacture of Protective Clothing.
Composite Glass Fabric
A special range of our composites glass fabrics are “Aerospace Qualified” and subsequently approved for used by the major aerospace companies worldwide. These fabrics stand at the pinnacle of the Glass Fabric range...as the reason Glass, with all its multiple derivatives, is considered the prize
material that it is. Traditionally used as structural reinforcements, these Fabrics today
are engineered for high-calibre performance under the most rigorous stresses of all forms.
Their distinguishing features of Low cost, lightweight and a phenomenal strength-to weight ratio in tensile
and impact, have made them the preferred choice over conventional material and metals in their uses.
These High-performance Fibers are further characterized by outstanding performance in terms of Operating
Temperature, Oxygen Index and Chemical stability. Their now integral and indispensable use in critical
applications across industries proves their worth.
For final use, these Fabrics are processed with a variety of Resins, depending on end-use Parameters and
practical consideration.
This Fabric/Resin combine is complementary in nature, producing a material far more useful than its
individual components. The Resins used, range from the economical Unsaturated Polyester for commercial,
mass-production applications like general purpose Sports and Vehicles uses, through Vinyl ester and Epoxy
for more stringent applications such as Aerospace, to Phenol and Polyamides for high Temperature
resistance requirement.
S Glass Fabric
‘S-Glass’ is a special type of Glass: Characterized by 40% Higher Tensile Strength and a 20% Higher Tensile Modulus, it is a vitally important raw material for Aerospace applications.
Our comprehensive range consists of S-Glass Fabrics, Yarns and Rovings, with the Fabrics available in a variety of differentTextures, Grammage, and Weave Patterns, etc...
Needle Mat
Needled mats are excellent non-woven products for the insulation market, which are made from 3 different glass types: E-glass 600°C, HR-glass 800°C and SiO2-glass 1000+°C. Each glass type is providing its own specific qualities meeting the requirements of DIN 4102. Certification: Silica needled mats are certified according to the MEDDirective 2014/90 / EU and can be used in the shipbuilding industry.
Needled glass fibre mats with thermal resistance of 600ºC are made of alkali-free alumina borosilicate E-glass fibre yarns with a filament diameter of 6 to 13 μm and a length of the cut fibre of 30 to 100 mm without any bonding agent which find applications in –
•Automotive (motor house, floor)
•Shipbuilding (walls, ceilings, piping insulation)
•Carriage (piping insulation)
•Building (heat insulation)
•Household goods (heat insulation)
•Power plants (turbine insulation)
The Yarns
By definition, Glass Yarns or Glass Fiber Yarns are continuous open-ended lengths of Glass Fiber filament strands. By importance, they are the building blocks of an Industry...Along with the Glass Fibers they are made from, the Yarns are the core of an entire product range, collectively known as Glass Fiber- reinforced Plastics. Wound on Bobbins as running lengths, Glass Yarns come as standalone Products too, with their own extensive range. These glass yarns are resistant to temperatures ranging from 600 to 1000 Deg C. The yarns exhibit very high Chemical and Electrical resistivity. The yarns are supplied with a variety of sizing, the most prominent one, off-course is the yarn with epoxy sizing.
E-Glass Fiber Yarns
Thermal Resistance: 600 Degree Celsius
These Yarns are processed from E-Glass, which is distinguished by its extremely high electrical resistance. They are therefore excellent electrical Insulators, making them ideal for the manufacturing of
Mechanical and Electrical Insulating Cloth. Some special features of the E-Glass Yarns include:
• Raw Material: Alkali free, Alumina free. Borosilicate E-Glass
•Maximum Alkali content: <1.0%
•Consists of 400-600 whole glass threads
•Filament Diameter: 6,9,11, 13 μm
•Supplied on Polystyrene Flange Bobbins
Thermal Resistance: 800 degree Celsius
The distinctive characteristics of this group are its Dielectric properties
and higher Chemical resistance to both Acids and Alkalis. It is therefore
used in applications where such resistance is required.
A distinguishing feature is its mid-range thermal capacity, giving a
freedom of choice. They are available as, both Single and Twisted/ Plied
High Silica(SIO2) -Glass Fiber Yarn
Thermal Resistance: 1000 degree Celsius Chemical treatment of High Silica Glass makes the yarns in this group
capable of operating at extremely High Temperatures: With their Low Thermal conductivity, Chemical Inertness, resistance to water, and high-pressure Steam, they belong to a highly specialized class of Yarns.
Features:
• Shrinkage: 1-5% for Heat Treated Fibers.
• Available as single and twisted/plied Yarn
• Supplied conical plastic Bobbins of 3 Kg.
Texturized (Textured) Glass Fiber Yarn
These are processed from all three Types of Glass- E, HR & High Silica
(SiO2) – with filaments of 6,9 & 11 μm.
They are made bulky for practical use, with the use of pressurized air.
Coated Glass Fiber Yarn
These comprise many varieties of Glass Fiber Yarns, custom coated to
meet specific end use applications. A good example of this is the yarn used as yarn for mechanical and
manual sewing. These are coated with PTFE, Acrylic, Polyurethane, etc.
Due to this customization, they are used in the manufacture of Fire protection and safety products, Industrial Fabrics, Power Plant constructions, Conveyors Belts, Automobile Industry and many others.
They are supplied in Jumbo or Flange Bobbins.
All varieties of yarn can be supplied in different colours. This is useful in processes where a colour coding
system is in place. They also lend colour and an aesthetic touch to the process layout, where the Yarns need
to be visible.
Thermal Insulation Application
