The Difference Between Silica and Fiberglass in Mattresses

Silica and fiberglass are two terms that have become very intertwined in the mattress world during the last few years. This guide will show you how to differentiate between the two terms and sift through some of the misinformation that has been spread around the internet regarding fiberglass in mattresses.

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About Fiberglass and Silica

To start off, let&#;s look at the two terms as a whole and learn exactly what both of them actually mean.

About Fiberglass

Fiberglass is a broad term that encompasses many types of glass-reinforced fibers. The most common type of fiberglass is a silica-based glass fiber that is coated in a resin. The resin is most often made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), also known as polyester. Because of this, fiberglass is also known as glass-reinforced plastic, since polyester is technically a plastic.

Fiberglass is also mixed with even larger amounts of resin to form rigid shapes such as boat hulls, fence posts, and things like exterior patio furniture. Because fiberglass is flame-resistant, it is also used as insulation in the walls and attics of homes without being a fire hazard.

About Silica

Silica is a general term for a naturally occurring mineral found in nature, its technical name is Silicon Dioxide. It&#;s most often found in the form of silica sand, quartz, and opal, but is also found in some grasses and the skeletons of sea sponges. The two main forms of silica are Crystalline Silica and Amorphous Silica.

Silica in its crystalline form is used as an ingredient of cement, as well as ceramic pottery. Silica is also the main ingredient of silicon, which is the main material in electronic circuit boards and semiconductors. Because it&#;s used to make glass, Silica can also be found in the fiber optic cables used in telecommunications as well as fiberglass.

Silica in its amorphous form is used as an anti-caking agent in some foods and cosmetic products. It&#;s also used in the brewing of certain alcoholic beverages. Silica is even used as a mild abrasive in some toothpaste.

The Difference Between Fiberglass and Silica

Fiberglass, compared to silica, is a very narrow term that mainly refers to continuous-strand glass fibers. Although fiberglass is used in many different ways, the fiberglass itself is mostly the same. Fiberglass is a mucous membrane irritant of the eyes, nose, mouth, and throat; and it may increase irritation of the lungs in bronchitis and asthma sufferers. Prolonged contact with fiberglass causes skin irritation and can lead to fiberglass dermatitis.

In comparison, silica is a very broad term that encompasses many different types of material under the two main sub-categories of Crystalline Silica and Amorphous Silica. It comes in many different forms and is an ingredient in many products across varying industries. In its crystalline form, silica can cause silicosis of the lungs, however, the amorphous form of silica is harmless in comparison.

How Fiberglass is Used in Mattresses

Fiberglass in mattresses is often used in the form of core-spun glass fibers that are sheathed in another material like polyester or rayon. The composite glass fiber is then woven into a fabric and made into a fire-resistant inner cover that encases the foam inside a mattress. This inner cover acts as a flame barrier and is known in the mattress industry as a &#;firesock&#;.

However, there are some exceptions to fiberglass being used as just a firesock. During the Zinus lawsuit of , it seemed that Zinus mattress had loose fiberglass particles spread across the top layer of its memory foam that was held in place by the inner cover. Until recently, SweetNight was using fiberglass-embedded memory foam for its mattresses.

How Silica is Used in Mattresses

Silica is most often found in mattresses by the use of Inherently Fire-Resistant Rayon. Rayon is a textile made from wood and plant fibers that have been dissolved in chemicals and then reconstituted as a fiber using different chemicals. During the rayon-making process, Amorphous Silica can be added to the pulp of dissolved plant fibers, and the resulting fiber will be inherently flame-resistant. This fabric is also referred to as FR Rayon as well as Visil Rayon.

Another way silica is used in mattresses is through the use of Hydrated Silica powder. It is made by dissolving silica with soda ash and water, then dehydrating the resulting mix and chopping it into a powder. Hydrated silica is the type of silica that&#;s FDA-approved for food and cosmetic use, it&#;s also used as a flame-resistant textile treatment in mattresses.

Silica found in mattresses can also be in the form of continuous filament silica used within a woven textile inner cover acting as a flame barrier, much like fiberglass. However, true woven silica fabric is much more expensive than fiberglass fabrics, so most mattress makers just use fiberglass or Inherently FR Rayon.

The Problem with Silica and Fiberglass Fibers in Mattresses

Both Silica and Fiberglass textiles are brittle. If the fibers are exposed to extreme force, the fibers can break and crumble. Even extended periods of normal use can wear down the integrity of the fibers and cause them to break down into smaller pieces. When a mattress&#;s outer cover is removed, or has a hole, the fiberglass and silica inner covers break down at a rapid pace.

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Once the Silica or Fiberglass particles have broken down into finer strands, they can be shed through a mattress&#;s outer cover by literally just poking through it. Most of the horror stories about fiberglass contamination that went viral on social media involved the removal of the mattress cover for cleaning. Many online reports of mattresses leaking fiberglass and silica state the outer mattress cover was never removed, however, and the fiber particles are simply slipping through the cover.

Some Mattresses Makers Disguise Fiberglass as Silica

Sure, there might be some mattress makers that actually use silica fabric instead of fiberglass. I assume that mattress makers actually using the more expensive silica fabric would be proud, and they&#;d freely share it with consumers as a selling point. The problem is that many mattress makers that say they use silica don&#;t actually have proof that it&#;s not just fiberglass.

Fabric that&#;s truly made of silica, and not fiberglass, may not be as potentially harmful as fiberglass. However, silica fabric can still break down and shed fibers that leak from mattresses and contaminate your living area. So, even though true silica fabric is safer than fiberglass, it&#;s still not the best choice when it comes to flame-resistant barriers in mattresses.

This is where the mattress brands&#; deception starts. Instead of removing potentially harmful fiberglass from their mattresses, many mattress makers just began saying their glass fiber is actually just Silica. Mattress makers can get away with saying fiberglass is silica since fiberglass is mostly made from silica, and there are no laws or regulations preventing them from deceiving consumers.

Mattress Brands That Use Hydrated Silica or FR Rayon

These brands of mattresses use Inherently FR Rayon that has Silica added during the manufacturing process, or fabric that is treated with Hydrated Silica powder.

Mattress Brands Using &#;Silica&#; Thread, Potential Fiberglass

These brands of mattresses say their flame barrier is silica, but they provide zero proof that the fabric is just silica and not fiberglass in disguise.

Other Mattress Terms to Avoid like Fiberglass

Since the fiberglass lawsuits and contamination horror stories shared on social media, many mattress makers have started using &#;alternative&#; names for their fiberglass to make it seem less scary.

These are some terms to look out for:

• Continuous Filament Fiber &#; This could refer to continuous filament silica fiber or continuous filament glass fiber.
• Core-Spun Glass Fiber &#; A term used by many mattress makers, it just means glass fiber that&#;s been wrapped with a different fiber like rayon or polyester.
• Silica and Polyester Blend &#; Since Fiberglass is made of silica glass and polyester resin, many mattress makers hide their Fiberglass by calling it a blend of silica and polyester.
• Filament Poly &#; Filament Poly can refer to continuous filament polyester thread, but it&#;s also a clever way to say glass filament core-spun polyester.
• GRP/GFRP &#; These are abbreviations for Glass Reinforced Plastic, and Glass Fiber Reinforced Plastic, which are both terms for fiberglass.
• Vitreous Fiber &#; This is another term for fiberglass.
• Glass Wool &#; This is another term for fiberglass.
• Fiber Reinforced Plastic &#; This can refer to many different fibers that are reinforced with a plastic resin, fibers such as Para Aramid (Kevlar) and Carbon Fiber, but it can also refer to fiberglass.

Last Updated on February 18,

While shopping for his daughter&#;s first &#;big girl&#; bed in , John learned about the hidden dangers of fiberglass in mattresses. Since then, he&#;s made it his mission to expose as much hidden fiberglass in mattresses as possible. His ultimate goal is federal regulations that ban fiberglass from being used in mattresses, or at least a law that requires it to be listed as a material on required tags.

In various industrial and commercial applications, materials with exceptional heat resistance and durability are highly sought after. High silica fabric and fiberglass cloth are two such materials that exhibit remarkable properties. While they share some similarities, they differ in significant ways. This article aims to delve into the distinctions between high silica fabric and fiberglass cloth, exploring their composition, characteristics, and applications. By understanding these differences, readers can make informed decisions when selecting the most suitable material for their specific needs.

Section 1: Composition and Manufacturing Process (Approximately 150 words):
High silica fabric and fiberglass cloth differ in their composition and manufacturing processes. High silica fabric is predominantly made of amorphous silica, which provides excellent resistance to high temperatures. It is often woven from high-purity silica fibers or yarns. On the other hand, fiberglass cloth is composed of glass fibers, typically made from silica-based materials, such as sand, limestone, and soda ash. These fibers are spun and woven to create a flexible and durable fabric.

Section 2: Heat Resistance and Thermal Properties (Approximately 200 words):
One of the primary distinctions between high silica fabric and fiberglass cloth lies in their heat resistance and thermal properties. High silica fabric boasts exceptional resistance to extremely high temperatures, with some variants capable of withstanding temperatures over °C (°F). It has low thermal conductivity, meaning it efficiently prevents heat transfer. Fiberglass cloth also offers good heat resistance, but typically has lower temperature limits compared to high silica fabric. Fiberglass cloth can withstand temperatures ranging from 450°C to 550°C (842°F to °F), depending on the specific variant.

Section 3: Durability and Mechanical Strength (Approximately 200 words):
When it comes to durability and mechanical strength, fiberglass cloth holds an advantage over high silica fabric. Fiberglass cloth is renowned for its high tensile strength, which enables it to withstand mechanical stress and pressure. It is resistant to tearing and offers good dimensional stability. High silica fabric, while excellent in terms of heat resistance, is relatively less durable and has lower mechanical strength compared to fiberglass cloth. It is more prone to fraying or breaking under heavy loads or intense mechanical forces.

Section 4: Chemical Resistance and Environmental Factors (Approximately 200 words):
Both high silica fabric and fiberglass cloth exhibit good resistance to various chemicals and environmental factors. They are typically unaffected by most acids, alkalis, solvents, and oils. However, high silica fabric has a higher resistance to chemical degradation and can withstand exposure to more corrosive substances. It is also more resistant to UV radiation and weathering, making it suitable for outdoor applications. Fiberglass cloth, while still offering good chemical resistance, may experience slight degradation over time when exposed to certain chemicals or prolonged outdoor use.

Section 5: Applications (Approximately 150 words):
High silica fabric and fiberglass cloth find application in different industries and settings. High silica fabric is commonly used in environments that require extreme heat resistance, such as foundries, glass manufacturing, welding, and insulation for high-temperature equipment. It is also utilized in aerospace, automotive, and military applications. Fiberglass cloth, with its superior mechanical strength, is widely employed in insulation, thermal and acoustic barriers, filtration systems, composite reinforcement, and electrical insulation. It is frequently used in construction, automotive, marine, and aerospace industries.

Conclusion (Approximately 100 words):
In summary, high silica fabric and fiberglass cloth are distinct materials with varying characteristics and applications. High silica fabric excels in its exceptional heat resistance, making it ideal for extreme temperature environments. On the other hand, fiberglass cloth offers excellent mechanical strength and durability, along with good heat resistance. Choosing between high silica fabric and fiberglass cloth depends on the specific requirements of the intended application. By understanding their differences in composition, heat resistance, durability, chemical resistance, and applications, individuals can make informed decisions when selecting the most suitable material for their needs.

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