Fibrous materials are those materials that are mainly made up of fibres. Fibrous materials are made after sticking a large number of single fibres to result in a solid substance. Asbestos and fibreglass are two of the fibrous materials which are used in many things in our day-to-day life.
Asbestos And fibreglass are both composed of mainly extremely thin fibres. Sometimes, people working in the building trades and homeowners mistake asbestos for fibreglass.
Because they are quite similar in many ways, still, there is a distinction between them.
Key Takeaways
- Asbestos is a natural mineral fiber known for its heat resistance and insulation properties, while fiberglass is an artificial material composed of fine strands of glass.
- Asbestos exposure can lead to severe health risks, including lung cancer and mesothelioma, while fiberglass is considered safer but may cause skin and respiratory irritation.
- Fiberglass has largely replaced asbestos in insulation and construction materials due to its safer nature and similar properties.
Asbestos vs Fiberglass
Asbestos is an insulation material, which has been found to be a health hazard when its fibers are inhaled, as they can cause lung diseases. Fiberglass, is a type of synthetic material made of glass fibers that is also used as insulation. It is considered safe in cases of inhalation.
Asbestos is a fibrous silicate mineral that occurs naturally. Six types are composed of thin and long fibrous crystals.
Each fibre is composed of several microscopic “fibrils” by abrasion and other processes, it can be released into the atmosphere. Inhalation of these fibres can lead to lung conditions like asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma.
Fibreglass is a general type of fibre-reinforced plastic that uses glass fibre. The fibres might be randomly flattened, arranged into a sheet, or woven into glass cloth.
It is more flexible and cheaper compared to carbon fibre. It is non-conductive, non-magnetic, and stronger than many other metals by weight.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Asbestos | Fibreglass |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Since antiquity | In 1933 |
| Derived | From mineral | From glass |
| Creation | Naturally | Artificially |
| Tensile strength | High | Exceptionally higher than asbestos |
| Human carcinogenic | Proven | Debatable |
What is Asbestos?
Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous silicate mineral. It is well and long-lasting and bonds with many materials, and in this way, it adds durability and strength.
Asbestos fails to dye easily, and if the material is dyed, it has poor and uneven colourfastness. The discovery of asbestos has been since antiquity.
Asbestos is highly heat resistant and an excellent electrical insulator. In the 20th century, asbestos was widely used as a building material across the world until the 1970s.
Because in the 1970s, its harmful effects on human health were recognized. Several modern buildings which were constructed before the 1980s may contain asbestos.
Formerly the fibre was used in gaskets, brakes, insulation, linings, and in-ceiling tiles, floor, cement pipes, roofing shingles, and other building materials. The fabrics of asbestos but used for theatre curtains, safety apparel, and fire stop hanging.
By the 1970s, the Urals of the Soviet Union and Quebec in Canada were the major sources of its fibre.
Also, the United States led the manufacture of asbestos products in the world. The reports related to the harmful effects of asbestos fibres on human health started increasing in the 1970s.
It was found that inhalation of tiny fibres form can lead to serious lung conditions like asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma.
What is Fiberglass?
In fibreglass, the glass fibre is reinforced plastic. That’s why fibreglass is known as glass fibre-reinforced plastic or glass-reinforced plastic.
The fibreglass is flattened into a sheet and randomly woven or arranged into a fabric. Depending on the usage, different types of glass can be used to make glass fibres.
Depending on the usage of raw materials and their proportions to manufacture fibreglass, it can be divided into A-glass, C-glass, E-glass, AE-glass, and S-glass. Fibreglass comes in several types to suit various applications, but the major ones are fibreglass cloth, tape, and rope.
Fibreglass is used in many appliances due to its properties, such as incombustibility, mechanical strength, non-rotting, electrical characteristics, and dimensional stability. It also has thermal conductivity, dielectric permeability, and compatibility with organic matrices.
Fibreglass is safe, durable, and provides high thermal insulation. In industrial gaskets, fibreglass is one of the materials which is widely preferred.
They provide better insulation, conserve energy, ensure the safety of the workforce, and protect the machinery. That’s why this is widely used in chemical, beverage, food processing, and many more industries.
Main Differences Between Asbestos and Fiberglass
- When it comes to composition, asbestos is a mineral that occurs naturally and is composed of mainly thin fibres. On the other hand, fibreglass is a mineral made by humans and composed of thin, long glass fibres.
- Compared to fibreglass, asbestos fails to offer a consistent temperature for operating, while fibreglass offers a better operating temperature than asbestos.
- In terms of cut resistance, asbestos is better resistant to abrasions and cuts. On the flip side, fibreglass lacks resistance to cuts.
- Asbestos has heat resistance in higher compared to fibreglass. When it comes to fibreglass, it is more temperature resistant than cotton and polyamide but not comparable to asbestos.
- Asbestos is used in surfacing materials, thermal system insulation, fireproofing, reinforcement, etc. But fibreglass is used in storage tanks, aircraft boats, automobiles, septic tanks, bathtubs, etc.
- https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=dmBWIkIu_IwC&oi=fnd&pg=PA63&dq=asbestos&ots=rR6gEqcBbz&sig=0b361Ke1Zf8UYoKTB_SrkPRJxSc
- https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/978-1-4419-0736-3.pdf
Last Updated : 11 June, 2023
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Piyush Yadav has spent the past 25 years working as a physicist in the local community. He is a physicist passionate about making science more accessible to our readers. He holds a BSc in Natural Sciences and Post Graduate Diploma in Environmental Science. You can read more about him on his bio page.
The detailed descriptions of asbestos and fiberglass, along with their applications, are quite enlightening. It’s crucial for individuals working in industries where these materials are used to be well-informed about the distinctions outlined in this article.
The explanations of what asbestos and fiberglass are and their respective manufacturing processes provide valuable insights. It’s essential to recognize the health hazards associated with asbestos and the safer alternatives such as fiberglass.
The detailed descriptions of asbestos and fiberglass, along with their applications, are quite enlightening. It’s crucial for individuals working in industries where these materials are used to be well-informed about the distinctions outlined in this article.
This article serves as a reminder of the importance of being cautious when handling asbestos due to its potential health risks. The comparison between asbestos and fiberglass is enlightening, emphasizing the shift towards using fiberglass for improved safety.
While asbestos has historically been widely used as a building material, its adverse effects on human health have been a reason for concern. This article effectively highlights the risks of asbestos exposure and the benefits of using fiberglass as a safer alternative.
The historical background and health-related information provided in this article are essential for raising awareness about the dangers of asbestos exposure. The comparisons made between asbestos and fiberglass further demonstrate the importance of transitioning towards safer materials.
There are very few differences between Asbestos and Fiberglass that I was not aware of! The main takeaway is to be cautious around Asbestos, while fiberglass has largely replaced it in insulation and construction materials due to its safer nature.
I found the comparison table to be quite informative. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the differences between asbestos and fiberglass, which is crucial for people to understand given the potential health risks associated with asbestos exposure.