Several Tips for Fiberglass Tub Painting

If the color of your fiberglass chopped strand mat tub isn’t what you like, the tub does not need to be replaced. Just paint it to get a new color. When deciding to paint the tub, here are some tips that may be helpful.

Remove Caulking

Check the edges of the tub to find the beads of caulk. Use a caulk removal tool, a putty knife or a screwdriver for this purpose. Keep in mind that the paint will not stick to the caulk, or if it does, it will peel off easily anyway. After removing the caulk, clean the surfaces with cloth dabbed in isopropyl alcohol. When the painting is done, reapply the caulk.

Clean the Shower Thoroughly

A dirty tub is not fit for painting. Scrub and clean every square inch of the tub to remove any dirt and grime sticking to it. Remove soap scum, calcium deposits, and water marks as well. Vinegar and baking soda paste can be made into a paste, scrubbed lightly onto the tub and washed off. If not, use TSP for thorough cleaning. Be sure to wash the tub thoroughly with water after using any type of cleaner. Wipe the tub dry with an old towel or cloth.

Sand the Tub Lightly With Fine Grit Sandpaper

Do not use coarse sandpaper to roughen the surfaces or else the bathtub will get damaged. Use fine grit sandpaper. If not, use a fine steel wool. Do not rub the sandpaper with too much pressure. Simply rub it lightly to create a rougher surface where the paint can easily stick to. Wash the surfaces after sanding to remove the residue.

After coating the bathtub with a primer or paint and decide to add another coat, make sure to sand the coat lightly as well before applying the next coat. Always make sure that paint is dry before doing so.

Always Provide Ventilation and Wear a Respirator

The fumes emitted by the paint are not good for the health. Be sure to open the windows and the door when working. Turn on the exhaust fan as well to ensure the vapors do not stay inside the room. Wear a respirator for maximum protection against the toxic fumes. The respirator is also useful when sanding the fiberglass tub. The fibers from the tub pose a health risk once inhaled.

Use Epoxy Paint or Acrylic

Epoxy paint is ideal for fiberglass tubs because it offers the best resistance to water and damage. Because the paint hardens after curing, it is scratch-resistant. Read the manufacturer’s instructions carefully before application of epoxy paint. This type of paint becomes useless hours after mixing. In addition, look for paints with fewer odors and designed for easy application. It may be harder to apply the paint, but it does provide the most durable coat.

Acrylic is another paint that is best for fiberglass tub. It is hard-wearing and water resistant; however, it must be applied on top of latex primer.

Seek innovative technologies for composites materials

AVK that is the global alliance for the reinforced plastics, currently is seeking innovative composite products and manufacturing processes for the selection AVK Innovation Award in 2015.

Seeking innovative reinforcing material, composite materials covers the following areas:

Innovative products, fiberglass chopped strand mat components and applications;

Innovative production technology and production processes;

Well-known companies in the field of composite materials;

Composite materials related Investigation and research projects.

The purpose of the innovation award is developing new products and components in the field of FRP, and innovative related manufacturing production techniques. Which is also awarded to universities and research institutions, and incentives to the people of make outstanding achievements in scientific research field. While further tap those fiberglass enterprise with attractive, which is the people to make achievements in the study of human resource management, corporate culture and occupational health and safety. "Sustainable development" is the profile of each participating judges are concerned.

Deadline for submissions is April 31, 2015, awards will be given at the time of the First International Conference of composite materials, held 21-22 September 2015 in Stuttgart, Germany.

Woven Fabrics V.S. Chopped Strand Mat

Woven Fabrics V.S. Chopped Strand Mat

What is WOVEN FABRICS? 

Woven fabrics are strong reinforcements because the fibers are bundled into yarns oriented in just two directions. The warp and fill yarns run at 0 and 90 degrees respectively. Thus, fabrics are anisotropic, or strong in only two directions. Fabrics need to be oriented so the fiber yarns run parallel to the expected loads. If extra strength is needed in a different direction, another ply must be added at an angle to the first. The most common angles are +/- 45 degrees. 

Styles Of Woven Fabrics 

There are many styles of woven fabric to choose from. The most common are the plain weave fabrics where the warp and fill threads cross alternately. Plain woven fabrics are generally the lease pliable, but are easy to cut and handle because they don’t unravel badly. However, their strength is compromised due to the severe “prebuckling” already present in the fabric. As stated under tows, fibers only produce their greatest strength when they are perfectly straight. The frequent over/under crossing of the threads reduces the strength of plain weave types, though they are still adequate for all but the highest performance applications. 

What is FIBERGLASS CHOPPED STRAND MAT? 

The fibers are typically 3-4 inches in length and are randomly oriented.fiberglass chopped strand mat is not a very strong material because of the short fiber length. However, it is isotropic. This means that it is equally strong in all directions. Mat and fillers are the only composite reinforcements exhibiting this trait. This is the cheapest reinforcement form and is thus the most widely used. It is suitable for molds and part production. The random orientation effectively hides fabric print through of gelcoats and makes molds which are equally stiff in all directions. It should be noted that chopped strand mat is only compatible with polyester resin. 

Fiberglass Sheet- One of the Best Materials for Greenhouse Roof

Fiberglass Reinforced Panels are made of a durable polyester resin and reinforced with fiberglass. They are ideal wall covering, for interior use in restaurants,fiberglass chopped strand mat kitchens, restrooms, break rooms, carwashes and any locations that require low-maintenance, washable walls. 

A greenhouse roof is not one size fits all, and effective greenhouse roofing can be achieved through a number of different materials. The most common materials used as greenhouse roofs include glass, polyethylene film, double-layered panels of polycarbonate or acrylic, and fiberglass panels or sheeting. Each of these materials has benefits and drawbacks, and one may be more suited to a particular type of greenhouse than another. Each greenhouse roof material has one very important characteristic in common: It is a clear or semi-clear, light-permeable material that will allow the plants inside the greenhouse to receive the light and heat they need to grow.

Glass roofing does have its drawbacks, though. It generally requires the highest up front cost, not only due to the cost of the glass, but also because it requires strong, sturdy framing materials to support it. Care must be taken to carefully construct and seal glass greenhouse roofs, as those not sealed properly have a high probability of leaking. Glass also carries a higher risk of breakability than some other materials, and it is not the best insulator.

Fiberglass sheets or panels are a long-lasting, less expensive alternative to glass and may be used in permanent greenhouse structures for 15 years or more. This material is much lighter than glass, so it does not require heavy-duty framing the same way that glass roofing does. Fiberglass is durable enough to withstand many types of weather and other outside elements. Over time, however, the light penetration of this material will be reduced; it does require maintenance in order to maintain the best possible light permeability. Fiberglass is also not as flexible as some other types of greenhouse roofing.

Advantages of Powder Chopped Strand Mat than Emulsion ones.

People use powder chopped stand mat and emulsion chopped strand mat because of different crafts and daily usage habits. But next time you use fiberglass chopped strand mat for an application, think powder ones firstly. Below are some reasons.

Firstly, the corrosion and water resistance of composites made with powder CHOPPED STRAND MAT are far better (compared to emulsion CHOPPED STRAND MAT) in view of the inherent superior chemical resistance of bisphenol fumarate polyester powder compared to plasticized PVAC. Composites are less prone to osmotic blistering when powder CHOPPED STRAND MAT is used. Hence more widespread use of powder CHOPPED STRAND MAT in manufacture of boats, tanks etc. that use the contact molding technique.

Secondly, composite strength has a direct correlation with % by weight of the fibrous reinforcement – higher reinforcement content (weight %) results in superior mechanical properties such as tensile, flexural strength and related moduli. As the degree of wetting is more thorough and speed of wetting is faster, consolidation of layers with powder CHOPPED STRAND MAT is easier and better. This is more evident in vertical sections due to less resin drip (better resin retention), aided primarily by superior consolidation capability. Drain resistance is very good as faster wet-out with polyester powder binder provides lower surface tension. Logically, use of powder CHOPPED STRAND MAT must result in lower resin consumption in view of the above. Operators tend to dab more resin on each layer of emulsion CHOPPED STRAND MAT in the layup sequence to ensure wetting is thorough (to avoid resin-starved areas) and avoid possible springback (in case of contoured sections). The end result is more resin consumption and a relatively lower glass-resin ratio compared to powder CHOPPED STRAND MAT. The key lies in shopfloor operators adapting to handling powder CHOPPED STRAND MAT differently - since wetting is more through and faster and consolidation of individual layers requires lower roller pressure (or reduced frequency of brush stipling as the case may be) and relatively lesser resin usage.

When large areas are involved with multiple layers (ie. thicker laminates), the resin saving can be more pronounced with powder CHOPPED STRAND MAT without sacrificing aesthetics – differential wetting is more common with emulsion CHOPPED STRAND MAT due to slower speed of dissolution in the styrene. The higher glass content (% glass fiber by weight) in the molded composite would be evident with powder CHOPPED STRAND MAT when quality control personnel conduct tests for mechanical properties (tensile, flexural strength and modulus) on cut-out sections.

Differences Between Chopped Strand Mat And Woven Roving

Here are differences between fiberglass Chopped Strand Mat (CSM) and Woven Roving (WR).

             

                             Chopped Strand Mat (CSM)                     Woven Roving (WR)

Firstly, Chopped Strand Mat (CSM) is a random fiber reinforcement, composed of chopped fiberglass of various lengths, randomly dispersed to provide equal distribution in all directions. Chopped Strand is designed for use with polyester and vinyl ester resin systems. Because it uses a styrene monomer soluble binder, to hold strands in place, it’s not compatible with epoxy resin systems. Chopped strand mat (CSM) is commonly used in laminates to minimize weave print through, due to ease of wet out, the good bond provided between layers of woven roving or cloth, and is comparatively low in cost. 

Regarding Woven Roving (WR), it is continuous strands of glass fiber, grouped together to form a twisted yarn. The roving is then woven into a coarse, square, lattice-type open weave to form the material. Woven roving provides great tensile, flexural, & impact strengths, at moderate cost. It’s more difficult to wet out than chopped strand mat or cloth however, and because of the coarse weave, it is not used where surface appearance is important. A layer of chopped strand mat is used between each layer of roving, to fill the coarse weave, when more than one layer is required. Compatible with most resin systems.

Woven Roving (WR) is a more like a cloth. Long glass strand have been woven uniformly to form the cloth. Different weaves will create different cloths for different purposes of use. Depending upon what directions load is wanting to be applied along the cloth. You can have very thin sheathing cloth through to heavy cloths. Cloth that is bi-directional and even tri-directional. 

The advantages of fiberglass product-fiberglass tile

There are many advantages of fiberglass tile as follows:

First, all weather: fiberglass chopped strand mat shingle can withstand a variety of erodes caused by weather factors, such as light , hot and cold, rain and freezing and so on.

Second, heat insulation: low thermal conductivity of fiberglass tile roof, blocking the conduction of heat or loss.

Third, Sound absorption: As the shape and arrangement of glass tile surface mineral grains are irregular, so it is a good adsorption and mitigate the impact sound of rain on the roof and other noise, ensuring the peaceful life of the top-level households.

Forth, Corrosion resistance: Fiberglass shingles will not rust, spotted other phenomena under the influence of adverse climatic conditions.

Fifth, Self-cleaning dust-proof: Fiberglass shingles will not form a clear stains as the fouling, even in the long rainy conditions, it do not accumulate water stains. After rain washed but will look cleaner.

Sixth, fire resistance: fiberglass shingles fire rating, which has reached the A-grade fire safety standards

Seventh, wind resistance: fiberglass tile fixed by a fixed part, When the tile effected by light and heat, it will reach effective temperature. it also can become self adhesive sticky, and the two tiles will be sticked together firmly. So that the entire roof together into a whole, thus greatly improving the wind resistance.

How to treatment the fiberglass piercing to the skin

Fiberglass production enterprises, which will produce large amount fiberglass chopped strand mat  related products in everyday, in the production process, since the operation, if we didn’t do protective measures, It’s easy to make the fine fiberglass penetrate our arms, palms, fingers, face and neck and all exposed skin surface. There will be varying degrees of itching, slight pain and skin allergy phenomenon. What if a similar situation arises, how to treat it timely? The following I will tell you some pooled ways!

First, we can repeatedly re-washing with plenty of water.

Second, If the local redness, inflammation, you can apply anti-inflammatory pain ointment, used to relieve pain.

Third, if we can see the fiberglass penetrated the skin by naked eye in the horizontal position. We can use eyebrows clamp grip and pull out.

Forth, if it’s very deep, you don’t see. Roll up our sleeves, hard grab the pain site of skin by hand. Then shave with a plate, it will not pain again.

Fifth, after you contact the fiberglass, you can use adhesive tape sticky the skin or parts immediately.

Sixth, the front-line staff of this industry, we suggest you use molt cream once a week, It will drained away the dead skin on your face. The purpose is to step down the fiberglass that has into the skin.

Seventh, fiberglass is not absorbed by our body, so eventually be out of the body, but it will take some time.

Eighth, try to wear professional industry dust masks, try to wear long-sleeved rubber gloves and protective masks if condition permitting. 

The above method is limited to a small range and small area processing methods. If a large area of skin pierced by the fiberglass, it should promptly go to hospital for specialized disinfection, removal of foreign body. Don’t any delay, make the skin more vulnerable.

What’s the Pros and Cons of Fiberglass Pools

What’s the Pros and Cons of Fiberglass Pools 

Fiberglass Pools Advantages:

Low maintenance: The gel coat surface of the fiberglass chopped strand mat pool shell is nonporous.  This inhibits the growth of algae and reduces the amount of sanitizing chemicals required to maintain the pool. 

Little or No lifetime cost: 99% of the time there is never any money invested in the shell of fiberglass pools.  No vinyl liner to replace and no resurfacing.

Non-abrasive surface: The gel coat surface of fiberglass pools is smooth to the touch.

Built-in Seats and Steps: Most fiberglass pool designs have seating and all have steps incorporated into the shell of the pool.

Manufactured in controlled environment: Fiberglass pools are built in the controlled climate of a factory.

Quick installation: Because the shells of fiberglass pools are built off site, the installation occurs more rapidly....3-5 weeks on average.

Fiberglass Pools Disadvantages:

Limited shapes and designs:  Because fiberglass pools are built from a mold, the consumer is limited to the shapes and sizes offered by the various fiberglass pool manufacturers.

No wider than 16':  Fiberglass Pools are shipped via the road.  Shipping restrictions limit the width of the fiberglass pool shell to 16'.

Repairs on some colored finishes do not match:  Many fiberglass pool manufacturers use colored finishes that do not match in the unlikely event that a repair is needed.

Higher initial cost:  Fiberglass pools are more of an initial investment; usually at least $5k more than vinyl liner pools and about the same as concrete pools.

GRP Fibreglass Roofing Introduction

GRP fibreglass roofing system are an extremely popular alternative to traditional roof covering materials due to the advantages of seamless technology. These systems are largely installed onto domestic roofs and new build construction projects where a timber deck construction is specified.

 

GRP Fibreglass Roofs are extremely hard wearing, can accept limited foot traffic loads and when required can be used on balcony and roof terrace applications. One of the main advantages with GRP roofing systems is the seamless joint free finish achieved by applying multiple layers of cold applied resins which are reinforced by fibreglass chopped strand mat.

 

GRP roofs are particularly attractive in appearance and are available in a wide range of BS or RAL colours and bespoke finishes to suit the requirements of the client. Simulated lead roll effect roofs can also achieved, this offers a cost effective alternative to lead roofing with the advantage of no scrap value.

Key Benefits of GRP Fibreglass Roofing

 

Cold Applied, No Naked Flames.

Seamless Waterproofing, No Joins or Welds.

Can be applied on complex roof designs.

Variety of colour and finishes.

Tough, hard wearing.

Fully Reinforced.

Rapid curing.

Cool cure system can be applied at 0 degrees.

Fire Retardent.

Helpful advice and information of GRP roof

What is GRP?

A: GRP is an abbreviation for Glass Reinforced Polyester, otherwise known as Fibreglass Roofing or Glass Fibre. GRP materials have been extensively used within the marine and automotive industries for over half a century for use on boat hulls, car bodies and even lightweight aircrafts. This technology has been developed for use on roofing systems and become a highly popular choice for fiberglass chopped strand mat flat roof applications.

What does a GRP roof consist of?

A: A GRP roof consists of several layers. Firstly a base layer of cold applied polyester resin is applied onto new 18mm OSB3 timber decking, the base layer is consolidated and reinforced with a layer of fibreglass matting (typically 450 or 600 g/m2), then an additional layer of resin is applied to form the main waterproofing laminate. The system is made complete with an arrangement of pre-formed GRP edge trims to form drip and water check, flashing details. For the final appearance a coloured topcoat is then applied to the roof and left to cure.

Is GRP roofing cost effective?

A: Yes, when comparing costs on flat roof materials, GRP is surprisingly cost effective. GRP roofing is more expensive than a re-covering using traditional materials, however please bare in mind that a quote for GRP will include for new 18mm OSB3 decking boards as part of the price.

Can I walk on my new GRP roof?

A: Yes, one the inherent properties of GRP fibreglass is a tough, hard wearing surface which is puncture and impact resistant. When used in conjunction with a 600g/m2 reinforcement matting GRP can be used for balcony and walkway applications.

Does a GRP roof have joints?

A: No, GRP roofs are free of joints or seams due to the nature of it's cold applied resin application. Regarding of shape or size a GRP roof is completely seamless.

How long does it take for a GRP roof to cure?

A: GRP resins are mixed with catalysts to enable rapid curing even at low temperatures. Typically a GRP roof will harden with an hour of application depending on site conditions.

Can a GRP roof incorporate new insulation?

A: Yes, a GRP roof can be incorporated into warm or cold roof design. Where an existing felt roof is present a warm roof conversion can be achieved by overlaying new PIR insulation boards over the existing felt roof.

The influencing factors for the fiberglass mat

There are so many factors influence the uniformly of fiberglass chopped strand mat, totally it can be divided into raw silk, equipment, environment, and human factors and so on.

Raw silk quality factor

The raw silk used in fiberglass mat machines must be fully drying and qualified. It’s density and stiffness preferably 100mm or more.

The fiberglass yarn density

When we don’t consider the waste yarn and mat, theoretically, when the cutter speed and movement speed is stable, the yarn density is a factor that influence the quality of unit weight of fiberglass chopped strand mat.

Oil content

If oil content less or uneven, the yarn stiffness will low, this will cause poor technical performance of yarn. When chopped, if the knife to cut the bad cluster tow, after cut off that the decapitation bifurcation serious filamentous, tangle together to form a dispersion not open beam filament, yarn balls appeared on the surface of the mat. It is different from the electrostatic beam filament appearance. Sometimes it inserted in the mesh belt when it down, and in the mesh belt formed a packet hollow, after cold forming holes in the mat surface.

Beam filament bundle through slotted generated, beam drawing process efficiency is bound to affect the uniformity of the unit area weight of the mat.

Environment factors

Keep the range of temperature and humidity in the creel room and molding chamber. It has a decisive impact for prevent the generation of static electricity. Suitable temperature is 20-24 ℃, relative humidity of 70% to 80%.

Most of the shipyards are still choose fiberglass material

Which product component produced by maritime industry。

Boat industry can be divided into three separate parts: engines,fiberglass chopped strand mat  ships and accessories. There are four different types of engines, depending on the type of ship application. Accessories include anchors, bathtubs and showers, it can be artificial marble or glass fiber products. Yacht or boat parts, is really suitable for composite parts. It can be pontoon, cruiser (comfortable boat), boat (designed for water-skiing like to one hundred mph) and yachts.

The trend of glass fiber and carbon fiber

Right now, most people in the industry are continue to use the glass fiber, it’s more than  carbon fiber composite material, because it provides a high quality and lower cost. However, when you focus on rowing, people prefer carbon fiber, the weight is the biggest factor. However, when looking at the general's ship manufacturing industry, which sold to families or fishermen. Most economical solution is still a glass fiber.

Which part of the marine industry to use more composite materials?

Pontoon is usually made of aluminum, you will find it in small fishing boat, but in terms of craft, such as cruisers and yachts primarily used are still glass fibers. You may find that the use of aluminum with two or three manufacturers, but in general, glass fiber composite material is still the first choice of the material.

New tornado panels made from composites

The new tornado panels are developed at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). The composition of thermoplastic and fiberglass resins and fibers used in the panels are stronger per-unit density than the steel used in many current shelters and weigh 80% less, according to the university. Some of the same foams and fibersglass chopped strand mat  are used in the latest armored military vehicles.

The research team developed a steel frame that holds the panels, and the frame can be broken down and carried into a closet or bathroom door and then reassembled. The panels, secured to each other and the floor of an interior room, protect against flying debris and are designed to keep people from being crushed or becoming airborne. The university says that the panels leave the assembly line looking like typical interior walls; they do not require paint and will never corrode.

Uday Vaidya, professor and chair of UAB’s Department of Materials Science and Engineering, worked with Storm Resistant Systems and Cooper Structural Engineers to scale the prototype panels for use in a home. The safe room is designed in accordance with FEMA standards to withstand 250 mile-per-hour winds, and was built to remain intact even if the house were destroyed. This prototype is the first-of-its-kind, and it can be replicated for installation in other homes.

 “With an average of more than 1,000 tornadoes recorded in the U.S. each year, it was crucial that something be done to make homes more safe,” Vaidya said. “Those tornadoes result in approximately 80 deaths and 1,500 injuries each year. Our goal was to develop new technology that would help protect individuals against the impact of debris during natural disasters, and I think with these panels, we’ve done just that.”

The raw materials of chopped strand mat- fiberglass

FRP products typically used glass is a calcium - alumina borosilicate having alkali content of less than one percent. It is commonly referred to as "E" glass, as it was originally developed for the electrical insulation system.

The production of glass fiber by the molten glass from the melting furnace transport by platinum sleeve contains a lot of small holes, stretched into a glass filaments. Filaments for commercial use is usually between 9 and 15 microns in diameter. Before the filaments are gathered into fibers, are adhered emulsion. Fiber is very strong - tensile strength is particularly high. They also exhibit excellent chemical and moisture resistance, excellent electrical properties, from biological attack, and not burning, melting point of 1500 ℃ - in plastic reinforcing material performance is very good.

Fiberglass can use in a variety of ways, chopped into short lengths ("chopped strand"); gathered into a rope loosely bound ("roving"); woven into a variety of fabrics, yarn twisting and doubling obtained by continuous strands. In the UK, the glass fiber most widely used material is chopped strand mat, which material is made of glass fiber strands short cut into about 50mm, the use of polyvinyl acetate or polyester binder held together in mat form. The fiberglass chopped strand mat weight range from 100gsm to 1200gsm, and to have a common reinforcement used.

The customized mat in changyuan company that stepped into a new level

Customized Fiberglass chopped strand mat has always been my company's production issues. For a long time, we are based to the principle of customer first, and try our best to provide service to customers, all-round to meet customer needs. We try to solve all problems in the process of using chopped strand mat. Since the introduction of customized mat, we produced chopped strand mat according to customers’ needs in any quantity and size. It’s widely praised by customers. We provide customers an effective solution to the material loss, cutting standardized, higher labor costs and other problems.

Recently, a domestic company requirements that production size is 3200mm * 1800mm of 150g powder customized mat, the production of such products in the winding and packing is a great test for our workers work proficiency and efficiency . We have successfully completed this production task, we test the uniformity, tensile strength, adhesion rate and so on, all of them is meet customer needs. Indicates that our series of low gram customized mat production will step to a new level!