a p p l i c a t i o n s g u i de0 pages

applications guide
No: BP-200

V1/0908

Page 1 of 3

Best Practices for Processing Fiber Glass Yarns
Over the past 50+ years, AGY has gained valuable experience in running fiber glass yarns in many different
processes and products. Based on this experience,
some common “best practice” processing techniques
have proven to be beneficial in most applications.
In an effort to maximize the performance for our customers, AGY has compiled the following listing of best
practices:
• Product conditioning and storage
• Temperature and humidity control
• Contact point design and composition
• Strand alignments
• Strand tension
• Housekeeping

Product Conditioning and Storage
Material should be stored in a suitable environment,
protected from the elements and in accordance with
the appropriate safety considerations for the area.
Prior to use, pallets should be placed in the production
area with the plastic wrap removed for a minimum of
24 hours to allow them to acclimate to the processing
environment. For product traceability reasons, the
product label from the plastic wrap should be retained
with the pallet.
Special attention should be given to pallets being
moved from cold environments into warm, humid
areas because as the material warms, its moisture content will increase significantly. This added moisture can
negatively impact the product’s performance; however,
once the material has acclimated, this will no longer be
an issue.

Temperature and Humidity Control
Fiber glass products process best if temperature and
humidity are controlled. The control of humidity will
enhance the ability to control static electricity, fuzz,
and fly. The dynamics of the running glass will create
static electricity, which can negatively impact strand
control and become a nuisance for operators. Control

of temperature and relative humidity becomes more
critical as fiber processing speeds are increased. AGY
suggests the following:
• Temperature = 70°F ± 5° (21.1°C ± 2.7°)
• Relative Humidity = 60%RH ± 5%
In some instances, addition of static elimination equipment may be required.

Contact Point Design and Composition
Every contact the material makes with equipment will
affect its performance. Contact points should be hard
enough to resist being cut or worn by the glass, yet
smooth enough so that they do not themselves break
or abrade the glass. AGY suggests the following:
Composition
• Metals: choose hardened steel, high-density chrome,
or in some cases, brass; soft metals should be
avoided.
• Ceramics: conductive ceramics have proven extremely
durable; they also reduce fuzz and broken filaments.
TiO2 material meeting AISiMag 193, which is the electrically conductive version of AISiMag 192, is an
excellent option for these purposes.
Design
• Minimize the number of contacts.
• Minimize bend angles in the contacts. The more
severe the angle, the more fuzz will be created.
• Create contacts with maximum allowable bending
radius; those below 5/16” (7.9mm) will show an
increase in fuzz depending upon the level of tension.
• Ground contact point mounts and equipment to
reduce static electricity.
• Position initial contact points near the center of the
bobbin/spool/tube; an off-center pull will break
fibers.
Maintenance
• Keep contact points clean of fuzz and binder.
• Regularly inspect contact points for abnormal wear,
cuts, or nicks; repair or replace as needed.