Chopped Strand Mat
CSM offers superior handling and tailoring capabilities, as well as the ability to adapt quickly to even the most intricate moulds. It is also less costly and has lower potency. CSM is primarily utilized in the production of smaller moulds and patterns, as well as bathroom units, partition boards, and waterproofing. When loaded parallel to the axis, these textiles have the best deformation resistance, and when loaded perpendicularly, they have the worst endurance. Boat hulls, structural panels, locomotive, and car interiors, as well as parts like seals, wheels, bushings, and gears, are all made using them.
Roving
In addition to its outstanding mechanical and electrical properties, Woven roving exhibits excellent acid corrosion resistance. Ideal for multi-layer hand lay-up applications that demand a high level of fracture toughness. Wet out, good drapability, and cost-effective. Woven Roving offers a multitude of weaves, weights, widths, and coatings to suit a number of applications.
Hardener and Accelerator
Hardeners are used to cure resins. But this is not a simple case of just adding hardener to the epoxy resin as this may take a long time to cure. For the curing process to be quick enough a different hardener must be used, alongside hardeners with certain additives. These hardeners act as catalysts to speed up the curing progress.
The other case to this is when hardeners are simply used to increase the toughness of the mixture once it sets. Hence, a hardener can be used as either a catalyst in a chemical reaction or as a reactant. If used as a catalyst, the hardener is usually known as an accelerator.
Solvents
Solvents are chemicals that are used to dissolve or thin out other substances, and they play an important role in the fiberglass industry. In fiberglass production, solvents are often used to dissolve or thin out the resin that is used to hold the glass fibers together.
There are several types of solvents that are commonly used in the fiberglass industry, including aromatic solvents, aliphatic solvents, and ketone solvents. Aromatic solvents, such as xylene and toluene, are widely used in fiberglass production due to their good solvating power and low cost. Aliphatic solvents, such as mineral spirits and white spirit, are also commonly used due to their low toxicity and low cost. Ketone solvents, such as acetone and methyl ethyl ketone, are used in some fiberglass resins due to their strong solvating power and fast drying time.
Solvents are used in a variety of processes in the fiberglass industry, including the production of fiberglass-reinforced plastic (FRP) products, the manufacture of fiberglass insulation, and the preparation of fiberglass resins for use in other applications. They help to dissolve or thin out the resin, making it easier to work with and improving its flow and handling characteristics.
Overall, solvents are an important part of the fiberglass industry, as they help to improve the performance and processing characteristics of fiberglass resins and products. They are used in a variety of applications, including automotive parts, marine vessels, construction materials, and many other products.
Fillers and Extenders
Fillers and extenders are materials that are commonly used in the fiberglass industry to improve the performance and cost-effectiveness of fiberglass products. These materials are added to fiberglass resin or other materials in small amounts to alter their physical and chemical properties.
Fillers are materials that are added to fiberglass resin to improve its strength, stiffness, and other physical properties. They can be used to increase the density of the resin, improve its thermal conductivity, or reduce its shrinkage during curing. Common fillers used in the fiberglass industry include talc, mica, and calcium carbonate.
Extenders, on the other hand, are materials that are added to fiberglass resin to reduce its cost and improve its processing characteristics. They are usually low-cost materials that are added in large amounts to the resin and do not significantly affect its physical properties. Extenders are often used to reduce the amount of expensive resin needed in a product, or to improve the flow and handling characteristics of the resin during processing. Common extenders used in the fiberglass industry include glass fibers, glass beads, and glass microspheres.
Both fillers and extenders are important materials in the fiberglass industry, as they help to improve the performance and cost-effectiveness of fiberglass products. They are used in a variety of applications, including automotive parts, marine vessels, construction materials, and many other products.
Gelcoat
Gelcoat forms the smooth outer surface of the finished laminate and therefore is applied to the prepared mould first. Gelcoat has excellent physical properties, water resistance and UV light stability.
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Resins
Resins rapidly wet the surface of glass reinforcements resulting in fast curing and a tack-free surface. At moderate temperatures, the resin has good resistance to water, acids, and weak bases and good resistance to petroleum solvents like vessels, tank linings, ducting and many other applications.