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ChoosingÌýthe right components for building materials is essential for the finished construction. Fiberglass mats replaced cellulose paper products in many applications, but both are still used in the market. But what are the features and differences of each? Let’s take a closer look at both products.Ìý

Cellulose PaperÌý

Paper isÌýprimarily composed of cellulose fibers, which can range typically from 70 toÌý100% in overall content. This is possible because cellulose fibers can bond toÌýeach other forming a strong substrate.ÌýThere areÌýsituations where it is desirable to add other components to paper besides theÌýcellulose fibers. These components are typically mineral fillers but can alsoÌýbe chemical binders and other treatments.ÌýÌý

SoftwoodsÌýand Hardwoods

CelluloseÌýfibers are primarily broken down into two categories: softwoods and hardwoods.ÌýSoftwoodsÌýcome from evergreen trees such as Pine, Spruce, and Cedar. Softwood fibers areÌýrelatively long at 3mm in length and have good inter fiber bond and areÌýconsidered soft and contribute to the absorbency of paper.ÌýHardwoodÌýfibers are harvested from deciduous trees such as eucalyptus, birch, and maple.ÌýThe fibers are relatively short at only 1mm in length. Because of the shortÌýlength they mostly contributed to the stiffness of paper and provideÌýsmoothness.ÌýÌý

Fillers,ÌýBinders, and Other AdditivesÌý

In additionÌýto cellulose fibers paper can also have inorganic pigments or fillers such as precipitatedÌýcalcium carbonate or kaolin clay, sometimes to reduce cost, but also to enhanceÌýcertain properties, such to provide water barrier, to increase brightness orÌýdensity.ÌýBinders,Ìýfor example starch can be used in paper to improve properties such asÌýstrength.ÌýForÌýconstruction applications in particular roofing felt papers, glass fibers areÌýadded to the cellulose fibers to reinforce the final paper and improve its tearÌýstrength.Ìý

Typical FeaturesÌýof Cellulose Paper Ìý

Paper is aÌývery flexible product and is available in many different weights andÌýproperties. For example, paper used to make tea bags is typically 12 grams perÌýsquare meter, whereas a roofing felt paper can be as high as 560 grams perÌýsquare meter.ÌýTypicalÌýcharacteristics of paper is that it is typically a very smooth product. It hasÌývery good opacity so it can mask things, it has low porosity, so it is used forÌýbarrier applications and its high absorbency makes it suitable for hygiene andÌýsimilar applications.ÌýFinally, anÌýimportant aspect is that paper uses cellulose fibers which are a renewable rawÌýmaterial. Many industrial papers also have a considerable amount of recycledÌýfiber.ÌýÌý

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Fiberglass Mat

UnlikeÌýpaper, fiberglass nonwovens use engineered fibers as its main component. GlassÌýfibers are standardized by fiber diameter, and they range from 8 to 18 micronsÌýand come in lengths between 6 and 38 millimeters. The shorter fibers provideÌývery good uniformity, whereas the long fibers provide good tear strength. ForÌýexample, 38mm are mostly found in roofing applications.Ìý

DifferentÌýcompositions of fiberglass are used depending on the application, E-glass isÌýthe most common and is the predominant fiber used in construction applications.Ìý

Binders

FiberglassÌýmats require a binder to bond the fiberglass nonwovens and to hold the fibersÌýtogether. There are many different types of binders, including thermoset resinsÌý(like urea formaldehyde, melamine formaldehyde, formaldehyde free acrylic) and thermoplasticÌýpolymers (like acrylics, poly vinyl acetate, styrene butadiene rubber) butÌýthere are also bio-based resins available (click here to learn about JM's Alpha Binder). The binder isÌýselected depending on the end-use application.Ìý

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Typical FeaturesÌýof Fiberglass Nonwovens

FiberglassÌýnonwovens come in a wide range of weights and properties, but in general theyÌýare known for being flame retardant, having good water and moisture resistance,Ìýso mold and mildew are not an issue. And they are having excellent mechanical propertiesÌýthat are important in construction applications, such as good tensile strengthÌýand tear resistance, outstanding dimensional stability and because it isÌýpossible to blend fibers of different diameters and length a wide range ofÌýpermeability is given.ÌýÌý

CelluloseÌýPaper vs. Fiberglass Nonwovens

ComparingÌýboth products directly with each other, paper is typically preferred in applicationsÌýthat require good smoothness or printability, but fiberglass is best forÌýapplications that need water and moisture resistance or require high tearÌýresistance or stiffness.ÌýConclusively, the radar chart outlines that fiberglass mats are the superiorÌýproduct of choice in construction applications.Ìý

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Adoption of Fiberglass Nonwovens in ConstructionÌý

Fiberglass nonwovens had been successful in replacing paper in many applications,Ìýprimarily due to its unique properties. But in order:ÌýIn 1950ÌýSchuller Company, which was acquired by ÇàÇà²ÝÊÓƵ in 1971, developed theÌýfirst fiberglass nonwoven product using a dry forming process. This product wasÌýdeveloped and first used in the early 1950’s for bituminous roofingÌýapplicationsÌýreplacing paper felts.ÌýIn theÌýearly 1960’s fiberglass mats started to be used in roofing shingles,Ìýagain replacing paper products.ÌýThe wet-laidÌýprocess was then adopted to make fiberglass nonwovens and Schuller initiatedÌýthe first commercial line in 1968.ÌýThe energyÌýcrisis of the early 1970’s saw a wider adoption of fiberglass nonwovens as theÌýfacer material in insulation boards, and liner ducts and in the late 70’sÌýfiberglass mats found a home in cushion vinyl flooringÌýreplacing mineral paper.ÌýAnd otherÌýapplications came as well in later years such as gypsum board facers, batteryÌýseparators,Ìýceiling facersÌýand moreÌýrecently in composite applications as in JM’s ownÌýGoBoard® material,Ìýan ultra-lightweight, waterproof, and durable tileÌýbacker board that is easy to cut and install. Let’s takeÌýa closer look at some of these applications.ÌýÌý

Roofing Shingles

FiberglassÌýnonwovens are currently used in 75% of all shingles in North America.ÌýFiberglass has for the most part replaced paper felts as the reinforcement ofÌýchoice based on its inherent flame resistance and very good dimensionalÌýstability. In the presence of moisture and water felt reinforced shingles canÌýwarp.ÌýFiberglassÌýalso provides very good tear resistance and those shingles can be guaranteedÌýagainst winds of 130 or even 150 miles per hour. Paper felt shingles simply doÌýnot perform under those conditions.ÌýTodayÌýfiberglass shingles are the product of choice for residential roofs in NorthÌýAmerica.Ìý

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FlooringÌý

Mats madeÌýof fiberglass have also found a home in various flooring applications becauseÌýof their excellent dimensional stability performance and resistance toÌýmoisture. The fiberglass products can also be customized in terms of weight andÌýporosity to facilitate the manufacturing process for carpet tiles, cushionÌývinyl flooring or luxury vinyl tiles.Ìý

ÇàÇà²ÝÊÓƵÌýand Gypsum Facer

Paper wasÌýalso replaced by fiberglass nonwovens in facer applications such as insulationÌýand gypsum boards. This is due to their excellent impact resistance, very goodÌýmoisture stability and very good mechanical properties that reduce the weightÌýof the board and add to their durability.ÌýÌý

MoreÌýApplications

There areÌýmany other examples where fiberglass has replaced paper products, for exampleÌýin

• interior ceiling facers, because they enhance the acoustic properties of the ceiling panels
• lead acid batteries, due to their excellent chemical resistance and controlled porosity
• composites, whereÌýa combination of lightweight, open structure and uniformity are desirable

If you would like to learn more about our product offering for construction applications, you canÌývisit our Nonwovens pageÌýand select your specificÌýmarket. Or you can get in touch with us today.

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