If you're curious about fiberglass injection molding, it's important to go back to the beginning. According to Conserve Energy Future, fiberglass production began in the 1930s as insulation material for buildings. The known insulating properties of glass could be used by multiplying the number of glass surfaces trapping heat inside a building. Fiberglass was simultaneously much less flammable than the other materials that were used for building insulation, allowing buildings to be made much safer than they had been before.

Fiberglass Injection Molding

During World War II, the US military, looking to speed up the production of airplanes and ships, turned to injection-molded fiberglass, reinforced with a composite, to create durable structures that could be churned out in a hurry. After the war, fiberglass-hulled boats revolutionized the travel and water-recreation industry, making large motorboats inexpensive to purchase. The process of forming complex parts using fiberglass resin, and fiberglass injection molding is a way to create inexpensive parts quickly and cheaply. The mold can include fine detail that is accurately reproduced in the resin.

What Fiberglass Is Used For

Fiberglass started being used in storage tanks during World War II. Storage tanks made of fiberglass are lightweight for their strength, and they come in a wide variety of sizes from backyard water tanks to over a million gallons. These tanks are varied in size and application. Fiberglass boats are one of the oldest applications of molded fiberglass, creating that culture of watercraft that evolved in the U.S. after World War II. Before the war, ships and boats were for utility. Fiberglass injection molding made the water fun.

Fiberglass Auto Parts

The most commonly understood use for fiberglass in modern industry are parts of cars. Large amounts of cars, including the entire bodies of some vehicles, are made of fiberglass for weight savings. Hoods and body panels are made of fiberglass. Generations of Chevrolet Corvettes were made primarily of fiberglass. The cars that we see on the road today have more fiberglass and plastics in them than ever, and they're safer for it because these parts are part of the crumple zones of a vehicle, creating a safe buffer as shattered bits of the fiberglass carry small amounts of kinetic energy away from the crashing vehicles.

As you can see, fiberglass is one of the most important industrial materials available today. Every car and truck on the road, most boats on the water, and a surprising number of household items are either made of glass-reinforced resin or have it in some of their parts. To learn more about our fiberglass part manufacturing services, give us a call today at Boca Custom Fiberglass- Boca MFG.