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S-Glass HS

Additive grade

HS = chinese domestic high-strength glass fibre

Cost-driven domestic substitute for S-glass in pressure vessels, sporting goods and armour backing; property scatter is wider than AGY S-2.

High cost $$$$

Values for the HS condition

Other S-Glass tempers and conditions

S-Glass is listed in 3 conditions; see the grade overview at S-Glass.

Compare all 3 conditionsHide
Condition · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
HSThis page
Chinese domestic high-strength glass fibre
Cost-driven domestic substitute for S-glass in pressure vessels, sporting goods and armour backing; property scatter is wider than AGY S-2.—4,3005.2630 HV1 W/m·K
R-Glass
European/3B HiPer-tex style high-strength fibre; slightly lower strength than S-2 but cheaper and widely available for wind and pressure-vessel parts.—4,4004.8650 HV1 W/m·K
S-2Default
S-2 Glass
Default commercial high-strength grade for filament winding, ballistic laminates and aerospace prepreg.—4,8905.7640 HV1 W/m·K

What is S-Glass HS?

S-Glass HS is S-Glass in the HS grade — cost-driven domestic substitute for S-glass in pressure vessels, sporting goods and armour backing; property scatter is wider than AGY S-2. S-Glass HS has a tensile strength of 4,300 MPa (624 ksi), stronger than 100% of glass grades. Elongation at break is 5.2% and the elastic modulus is 85 GPa (12.3 Msi). S-Glass HS has a density of 2.5 g/cm³ (0.0903 lb/in³), lighter than 74% of glass grades. It melts at 1,500°C (2,732 °F). S-2 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; HS is available on request or by drawing note.

Advantages

  • Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 5.2%, better than 95% of glass grades

Limitations

  • Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 92% of glass grades

S-Glass HS properties

Typical room-temperature values for S-Glass HS; 12 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are S-Glass reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among glass grades.

Physical4

S-Glass HS has a density of 2.5 g/cm³ (0.0903 lb/in³), lighter than 74% of glass grades. It melts at 1,500°C (2,732 °F).

Density2.5 g/cm³0.09 lb/in³
Melting Point (Solidus)1,500°C2,732 °F
Refractive Index1.523
Porosity0%

Mechanical11

S-Glass HS has a tensile strength of 4,300 MPa (624 ksi), stronger than 100% of glass grades. Elongation at break is 5.2% and the elastic modulus is 85 GPa (12.3 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus85 GPa12.3 Msi
Shear Modulus36 GPa5.2 Msi
Bulk Modulus52 GPa7.5 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.22
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)4,300 MPa624 ksi
Elongation at Break5.2%
Compressive Strength1,550 MPa225 ksi
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)0.72 MPa·√m0.66 ksi·√in
Hardness, Vickers630 HV
Hardness, Knoop620 HK
Hardness, Mohs6.5

Thermal5

S-Glass HS is rated for continuous service to 600°C (1,112 °F). It conducts heat at 1.4 W/m·K (0.809 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 58% of glass grades. Thermal expansion is 1.6 µm/m·K (0.889 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity1.4 W/m·K0.81 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity737 J/kg·K0.18 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)1.6 µm/m·K0.89 µin/in·°F
Max Service Temperature (continuous)600°C1,112 °F
Min Service Temperature-200°C-328 °F

Electrical4

S-Glass HS has an electrical resistivity of 1×10¹³ Ω·m.

Electrical Resistivity1×10¹³ Ω·m3.94×10²⁰ µΩ·in
Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)5.2
Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)0.0068
Volume Resistivity1×10¹⁵ Ω·cm

Chemical & Environmental2

Corrosion resistance is very good (70/100), worse than 58% of glass grades.

Corrosion ResistanceVery good70/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryGood resistance to water, dilute acids and organic solvents — markedly better acid and hydrolytic durability than E-glass because it is boron- and alkali-free; attacked by hydrofluoric acid, hot concentrated phosphoric acid and strong alkalis (NaOH), and susceptible to stress-corrosion (static fatigue) in humid environments under sustained load.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of S-Glass HS takes about 75 MJ of energy and emits 4.2 kg of CO₂ — more than 63% of glass grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)75 MJ/kg32,244 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)4.2 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water90 L/kg10.8 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content0%

Manufacturability2

S-Glass HS's machinability is not recommended (12/100, worse than 68% of glass grades).

MachinabilityNot recommended12/100
PolishabilityFair45/100

Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.

Working with S-Glass HS

Is S-Glass easy to machine?

Cured S-glass laminates are highly abrasive — use PCD or diamond-coated routers/drills, high speed with low feed, and dust extraction; dry cutting glazes the tool quickly.

Can S-Glass be welded?

Not weldable; join composites by adhesive bonding or co-curing, mechanical fastening with oversize bearing plies.

Can S-Glass be formed, bent or molded?

Supplied as roving, fabric or prepreg; processed by filament winding, pultrusion, RTM or autoclave cure at 120–180 °C — silane sizing must match the resin (epoxy, phenolic, PA).

What surface finishes work on S-Glass?

Edge-seal with resin or gelcoat to stop moisture wicking along fibres; peel-ply or light abrasion before bonding, no plating or anodizing applicable.

S-Glass chemical composition (wt %)

Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)Nominal
SiO2glass former64 – 6665
Al2O3raises modulus and strength24 – 25.525
MgOnetwork modifier9.5 – 10.510
Na2O+K2Oalkali kept low for durability0 – 0.30.1
Fe2O3impurity0 – 0.20.05
B2O3essentially boron-free0 – 0.10

S-Glass HS — frequently asked

What is S-Glass HS used for?

S-Glass HS is typically used for aerospace composites, ballistic armor, pressure vessels and sporting goods. In short: strongest common glass fibre; higher modulus than E-glass; aerospace and ballistic grade.

What is the tensile strength of S-Glass HS?

S-Glass HS has a typical tensile strength of 4,300 MPa (624 ksi) — stronger than 100% of glass grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.

Is S-Glass HS easy to machine?

Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (12/100, worse than 68% of glass grades). Cured S-glass laminates are highly abrasive — use PCD or diamond-coated routers/drills, high speed with low feed, and dust extraction; dry cutting glazes the tool quickly.

Can S-Glass HS be welded?

Not weldable; join composites by adhesive bonding or co-curing, mechanical fastening with oversize bearing plies.

What surface finishes work on S-Glass HS?

Edge-seal with resin or gelcoat to stop moisture wicking along fibres; peel-ply or light abrasion before bonding, no plating or anodizing applicable.

Can S-Glass HS be formed, bent or molded?

Supplied as roving, fabric or prepreg; processed by filament winding, pultrusion, RTM or autoclave cure at 120–180 °C — silane sizing must match the resin (epoxy, phenolic, PA).

What is the maximum service temperature of S-Glass HS?

S-Glass HS is rated for continuous use to about 600°C (1,112 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.

Sources

  1. S-2 Glass Fiber Product Information — AGY (2020)
  2. ASM Handbook Vol. 21: Composites — Glass Fibers — ASM International (2001)
  3. Engineered Materials Handbook Vol. 1: Composites — ASM International (1987)
  4. HiPer-tex W2020 High Performance Glass Rovings — 3B Fibreglass (2021)

Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.