BMC Chopped Strands · AR Chopped Strands

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Buyer guide
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Zbcarbon
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Which fiberglass chopped strands should I use for PP compounds, injection molding and BMC?

Use the grade made for your matrix. Thermoplastic chopped strands are sized to bond with polymers such as PP, and give low fuzz, even dispersion and uniform glass content in the compound[1]. BMC chopped strands are made for thermoset molding compounds, with good choppability, strand integrity and color matching[2]. Standard lengths are 3, 6 and 12 mm, with a 100 kg minimum order[3].

3 / 6 / 12 mmstandard lengths
100 kgminimum order
E-glassheat resistant, electrically insulating

Thermoplastic or BMC grade: how do they differ?

Thermoplastic grade (for PP) BMC grade
Matrix PP and other thermoplastics unsaturated polyester BMC/DMC
Process pultrusion-injection, extrusion compounding, injection molding BMC mixing and compression or injection molding
Key features pultrusion shear and dispersion; no fuzz; even linear density and glass content[1] good choppability and gathering; strand integrity, low fuzz; pigment and color matching; good resin compatibility[2]
Typical parts automotive and construction plastic parts, marine parts, sports goods, consumer goods[1] automotive parts, insulators, switch boxes[2]
Fiberglass strand packages on creels
Chopped strands start as continuous E-glass strands.
Fiberglass production hall
Glass fiber production hall.

What does glass fiber add to a plastic or BMC part?

BMC chopped strands are continuous E-glass with high heat resistance, chemical resistance and electrical insulation. They improve mechanical properties and dimensional stability, reduce thermal expansion and give a good balance of strength and toughness for impact-resistant parts[2].

Property Effect of glass fiber
Strength and stiffness higher
Dimensional stability better: less warping and shrinkage
Thermal expansion lower
Electrical insulation kept (E-glass is an insulator)
Impact good balance of strength and toughness

Which length?

Shorter strands feed and flow easily and suit thin-walled moldings. Longer strands give more reinforcement per fiber but are harder to disperse and flow. Trial two lengths if you are changing supplier.

TipDo not substitute an AR (alkali-resistant) chopped strand made for concrete into a plastic, or a plastic grade into concrete. The sizing is different and so is the glass. For concrete, see [AR glass fiber for GRC](/news/ar-glass-fiber-for-grc-concrete-chopped-strand-roving-or-mat/).

What to send

Polymer or resin and grade, process, length, glass content target, monthly volume and packaging needs. The minimum order is 100 kg[3]. Use the quote form. For carbon fiber in plastics, see chopped carbon fiber for ESD and EMI.

Sources

  1. Fiberglass chopped strands for PP reinforcement: pultrusion-injection of PP; pultrusion shear and dispersion, no fuzz, even linear density and glass content; automotive, construction, marine, sports and consumer parts; MOQ 100 kg
  2. BMC fiberglass chopped strand: continuous E-glass, heat and chemical resistance, electrical insulation, dimensional stability, lower thermal expansion; choppability, strand integrity, low fuzz, color matching; automotive parts, insulators, switch boxes
  3. Fiberglass chopped strands for BMC, 3 mm, 6 mm and 12 mm, MOQ 100 kg

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