Glass fibers are made from glass-forming raw materials.
The main glass former in most glass compositions is silica.
The chemical formula of silica is:
\[
SiO_2.
\]
Silica forms the basic network structure of glass.
In glass fiber manufacturing, silica is combined with other oxides to obtain the required melting behavior, strength, chemical resistance, and fiber-forming properties.
Carbon, iron, and copper are not primary raw materials for making glass fibers.
Iron and copper may act as impurities or coloring agents in glass.
Carbon is not a glass former in normal silicate glass fiber production.
Therefore, the primary material used to manufacture glass fibers is:
\[
\text{Silica}.
\]