FIBREGLASS

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FIBREGLASS
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First of all
Introduction Makeup Pros and Cons
Properties Uses History Future

• GFRP or GRP

• Glass Fibre

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An introduction to Fibreglass
Introduction Makeup Pros and Cons
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20 less than Mild Steel...
Same as Cast Iron

• Strength

10 heavier than cotton..
40 lighter than Aluminium

• Weight

25 more than Mild Steel..
Cost
Same as Aluminium
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What is Fibreglass?
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• Fibreglass is a composite

A combination of two materials giving enhanced
properties

• It is made of very thin glass fibres embedded in
  a resin

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Why use Fibreglass?
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The Makeup of Fibreglass
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The Recipe for Fibreglass
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• Glass fibres
• Resin
• Suitable liquid

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Used in bullet-proof jackets
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So why is fibreglass strong and durable?
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What affects its strength and durability?
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• The number of glass fibres

• The direction of the glass fibres

• The type of resin

There is a balance!
Note

• Weathering?

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Going Deeper into Fibreglass
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• Fibreglass

• Glass Fibres

Glass Fibres
Resin
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How thin are the glass fibres?
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• More than 150 kilometres from one marble 16mm in
  diameter!

• 1/20th the width of human hair!

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Introduction Makeup Pros and Cons
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Going Deeper into Fibreglass
Fibreglass
Glass Fibres
Glass Fibres
Resin
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What about the resin?
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• Firstly there are different types of resin

• The three most common ones are
• Polyester
• Vinyl ester
• Epoxy

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How the resin is made
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• Polyester Vinyl ester Epoxy

• Suitable liquid
• Catalyst
• Additives
• Colour
• Other chemicals to enhance properties

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Introduction Makeup Pros and Cons
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How the resin is made
Polyester Vinyl ester Epoxy
Catalyst
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and Epoxy?
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How the resin is made
Polyester Vinyl ester Epoxy
Hardener

• Takes part in the reaction
• Usually an amine

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The Pros and Cons of using Epoxy
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Pros
Cons

• Shrinks less during curing

• Curing ratios have to be very accurate

• Greater Chemical resistance

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Introduction Makeup Pros and Cons
Properties Uses History Future
The Pros and Cons of using Epoxy
Also to note...
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The Pros and Cons of using Epoxy
Introduction Makeup Pros and Cons
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Pros
Cons

• Shrinks less during curing

• Curing ratios have to be very accurate

• Greater Chemical resistance

• Costs a lot more

• Stronger composite

• Corrosive to handle

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So where does Vinyl Ester come in?
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• Vinyl ester is essentially polyester resin with
  epoxy molecules in the main molecular structure

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Introduction Makeup Pros and Cons
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How the resin is made
Polyester Vinyl ester Epoxy
Catalyst
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and as a result...
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• Vinyl ester is less susceptible to damage by water

• It is stronger than polyester resin

BUT...

• It is harder to cure and repair

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The Properties of Fibreglass
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Fibreglass is adaptable
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• Strength depends on arrangement of glass fibres

• More glass fibres can be placed on specific areas
  to enhance strength
• Chemicals can be added to improve fire resistance
  and all sorts of other properties

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Fibreglass is Cost Effective
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• Same cost as Aluminium and 25 more than Mild
  Steel

BUT...

• Less tooling costs
• No rusting
• Can be assembled in one piece
• Repairable damage

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Fibreglass is weight-saving
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Mass of Fibreglass required to give same strength
as metal

• Fibreglass is 80 lighter than mild steel
• ...and 40 lighter than Aluminium!

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Fibreglass vs Metal and wood
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Other properties of Fibreglass
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• Non-metal - Good insulator both against heat and
  electricity
• Easily cleaned due to smooth finish
• Not naturally flame retardant
• Different colours/textures available

• Can be manufactured easily and in one piece

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Uses of Fibreglass
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The uses of Fibreglass
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Some specific examples...
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The History of Fibreglass
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The History of Fibreglass
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• Originally modelled on nature - Bamboo
• Glass fibre was used by the Egyptians

Dale Kleist
Heat treatment

• Fibreglass came in during WW2 (1942)

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The Future of Fibreglass
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The Future for Fibreglass
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• One Problem

• Microcracks can occur over time leading to
  failures

One Solution

• Make a Self Healing Composite

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Self-healing Fibreglass
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• Embed Catalyst and Microcapsules of repair fluid
  into the composite

• Leads to
• Reduced weathering effects
• Less failures
• More reliability

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Introduction Makeup Pros and Cons
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Self-healing Fibreglass
in detail
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