Reliable fiberglass structures. Fiberglass reinforcement for corrosion-resistant marine concrete structures How to use fiberglass in everyday life and in construction
Basic Concepts
Fiberglass - a system of glass threads knitted with thermosets (irreversible hardening resins).
Mechanisms of Strength—Adhesion between a Single Fiber and a Polymer (resin) adhesion depends on the degree of cleaning of the fiber surface from the sizing agent (polyethylene waxes, paraffin). The sizing is applied at the fiber or fabric manufacturing plant to prevent delamination during transport and technological operations.
Resins are polyester, characterized by low strength and significant shrinkage during hardening, this is their disadvantage. Plus - fast polymerization, unlike epoxides.
However, shrinkage and rapid polymerization cause strong elastic stresses in the product and over time the product warps, the warping is insignificant, but on thin products it gives unpleasant reflections of a curved surface - see any Soviet body kit for VAZs.
Epoxies hold their shape much more accurately, are much stronger, but are more expensive. The myth about the cheapness of epoxies is due to the fact that the cost of domestic epoxy resin compared with the cost of imported polyester. Epoxies also benefit from heat resistance.
The strength of fiberglass - in any case, depends on the amount of glass by volume - the most durable with a glass content of 60 percent, however, this can only be obtained under pressure and temperature. IN "cold conditions" it is difficult to obtain durable fiberglass.
Preparation of glass materials before gluing.
Since the process consists of gluing fibers together with resins, the requirements for the fibers being glued are exactly the same as for gluing processes - thorough degreasing, removal of adsorbed water by annealing.
Degreasing, or removal of coupling agent, can be done in BR2 gasoline, xylene, toluene, and their mixtures. Acetone is not recommended due to the binding of water from the atmosphere and "getting wet» fiber surface. As a method of degreasing, you can also use annealing at a temperature of 300-400 degrees. In amateur conditions, this can be done like this: rolled fabric is placed in a workpiece from ventilation pipe or galvanized drainage and is cut into a spiral from an electric stove placed inside the roll; you can use a hair dryer to remove paint, etc.
After annealing, glass materials should not be exposed to air, since the surface of the fiberglass absorbs water.
Some words "craftsmen"The possibility of gluing without removing the sizing agent evokes a sad smile - no one would think of gluing glass over a layer of paraffin. Tales about how "resin dissolves paraffin” is even funnier. Spread the glass with paraffin, rub it, and now try to glue something to it. Draw your own conclusions))
Sticking.
The separating layer for the matrix is the best polyvinyl alcohol in water, applied by spray and dried. It gives a slippery and elastic film.
You can use special waxes or wax mastics silicone-based, but you should always make sure that the solvent in the resin does not dissolve the separating layer by first trying it on something small.
When gluing, lay layer upon layer, rolling with a rubber roller, squeezing out excess resin, remove air bubbles by piercing with a needle.
Be guided by the principle - excess resin is always harmful - resin only glues glass fibers, but is not a material for creating molds.
if a high-precision part, such as a hood cover, it is advisable to introduce a minimum of hardener into the resin and use heat sources for polymerization, for example, an infrared lamp or a household "reflector».
After hardening, without removing from the matrix, it is very desirable to heat the product evenly, especially at the stage "gelatinization» resin. This measure will relieve internal stress and the part will not warp over time. Regarding warping - I’m talking about the appearance of glare and not about changing sizes; sizes can change by only a fraction of a percent but still give strong glare. Pay attention to plastic body kits made in Russia - none of the manufacturers "is bothering» result - summer, stood in the sun, there were a couple of frosts in winter and... everything looked crooked... although the new one looked great.
In addition, with constant exposure to moisture, especially in places where there are chips, the fiberglass begins to come out, and gradually, being wetted with water, it simply fringes; sooner or later, water penetrating into the thickness of the material peels off the glass threads from the base (glass adsorbs moisture very strongly)
in a year.
The sight is more than sad, well, you see such products every day. What is made of steel and what is made of plastic is immediately obvious.
By the way, prepregs sometimes appear on the market - these are sheets of fiberglass already coated with resin; all you have to do is put them under pressure and heat them - they will stick together into beautiful plastic. But the technical process is more complicated, although I have heard that a layer of resin with a hardener is applied to prepregs and excellent results are obtained. I didn't do that myself.
These are the basic concepts about fiberglass; make a matrix in accordance with common sense from any suitable material.
I use dry plaster "rotband"It is processed perfectly, holds the size very accurately, after drying from water it is impregnated with a mixture of 40 percent epoxy resin with a hardener - the rest is xylene, after the resin has cured, such forms can be polished or. very durable and fit perfectly.
How to peel off a product from a matrix?
many people have this simple operation causes difficulties, up to destruction of the form.
It’s easy to peel off - make a hole or several in the matrix before gluing, and seal it with thin tape. After making the product, blow compressed air into these holes one by one - the product will peel off and be removed very easily.
Again, I can say what I use.
Resin - ED20 or ED6
hardening agent - polyethylene polyamine, also known as PEPA.
Thixotropic additive - aerosil (at By adding it, the resin loses its fluidity and becomes jelly-like, very convenient) is added according to the desired result.
The plasticizer is dibutyl phthalate or castor oil, about a percent or a quarter of a percent.
Solvent - orthoxylene, xylene, ethyl cellosolve.
resin filler for surface layers - aluminum powder (hides fiberglass mesh)
fiberglass - asstt, or fiberglass mat.
Auxiliary materials - polyvinyl alcohol, silicone Vaseline KV
very useful thin polyethylene film as a separating layer.
It is useful to evacuate the resin after stirring to remove any bubbles.
I cut the fiberglass into the required pieces, then roll it up, place it in a pipe and calcinate the whole thing with a tubular heating element placed inside the roll, it calcinates overnight - it’s so convenient.
Yes, and here's another.
Do not mix epoxy resin with hardener in one container in an amount of more than 200 grams. It will heat up and boil in no time.
Express control of the results - on the test piece, when breaking, the glass threads should not stick out - the fracture of the plastic should be similar to the fracture of plywood.
break any plastic from which the body kit is made or pay attention to the broken one - solid rags. This is the result "no» bond between glass and polymer.
Well, little secrets.
It’s very convenient to correct devections such as scratches or sinkholes: apply a drop of epoxy resin to the sink, then stick tape on top as usual (ordinary, transparent), level the surface using the highlights using your fingers or applying something elastic; after hardening, the adhesive tape comes off easily and gives a mirror-like surface. No processing is required.
Solvent reduces the strength of the plastic and causes shrinkage in finished product.
Its use should be avoided if possible.
aluminum powder is added only to the surface layers - it reduces shrinkage very much, the mesh characteristic of plastics appears to me then nothing, the amount reaches the consistency of thick sour cream.
Epoxies are processed worse than polyesters and this is their disadvantage.
the color after adding aluminum powder is not silver but metallic grey.
ugly in general.
The metal fastener glued into the plastic must be made of aluminum alloys or titanium - because... A very thin layer is applied to the embedded product silicone sealant, and fiberglass fabric, previously well annealed, is pressed against it. The fabric should stick but should NOT be soaked through. after 20 minutes, this fabric is moistened with resin WITHOUT SOLVENT and the remaining layers are glued to it. This "combat "technology As a silicone sealant, we used the Soviet KLT75 vibration-resistant compound, which is heat-resistant, frost-resistant, and resistant to salt water. Preparing the metal surface - wash the aluminum alloy in a clean solvent. pickle in a mixture of washing soda and washing powder, heating the solution to a boil, if possible, then dry it in a weak alkali, for example a 5% solution of caustic potassium or soda, with heat. warm up to 200-400 degrees. After cooling, glue in as quickly as possible.
Fiberglass profiles are visually known, standard profiles designed for various applications in construction and design, made of fiberglass.
Having the same external parameters as profiles from traditional materials, profiled fiberglass, has a number of unique characteristics.
Fiberglass profiles have one of the most high performance strength-to-weight ratio compared to any other structural product, as well as superior corrosion resistance. The products are highly resistant to ultraviolet radiation, a wide range of operating temperatures (-100°C to +180°C), as well as fire resistance, which allows the use of this material in various areas of construction, especially when operating in hazardous voltage zones, and in the chemical industry.
PRODUCTION OF GLASS PLASTIC PIPES AND PROFILES
The profiles are manufactured using the pultrusion method, a feature of the technology that This consists of continuous drawing of roving made of filament threads, pre-impregnated with a multicomponent system based on binders of various resins, hardeners, thinners, fillers, and dyes.
The fiberglass is impregnated with resin and then passed through a heated die of the desired shape, in which the resin hardens. The result is a profile of a given shape. Fiberglass profiles are reinforced on the surface with a special non-woven fabric (mat), thanks to which the products acquire additional rigidity. The profile frame is covered with fleece impregnated with epoxy resin, which makes the product resistant to ultraviolet radiation.
A special feature of pultrusion technology is the production of straight products with constant cross section along the entire length.
The cross-section of the fiberglass profile can be any, and its length is determined in accordance with the wishes of the customer.
FRP structural profile comes in a wide range of shapes including I-beam, equal-flange, equal-flange, square pipe, round pipe, as well as a corner for laying when concreting the most different sizes, which can be used instead of the traditional metal corner subject to rapid destruction from rust.
Most often, a fiberglass profile is made of orthophthalic resin.
Depending on the operating conditions, it is possible to produce profiles from other types of resins:
- - vinylester resin: intended for use in conditions where high corrosion resistance is required from the material;
- epoxy resin: has special electrical properties, making products made from it optimal for use in hazardous voltage areas;
- acrylic resin : products made from it have low smoke emission in case of fire.
GLASS PLASTIC PROFILES STALPROM
In our company you can purchase standard and non-standard fiberglass profiles of any size according to your wishes and requirements. Main list fiberglass profiles next:
Corner
The dimensions of this material may vary. They are used in almost all fiberglass structures. Structurally, they are used in fiberglass staircases, lighting installations, in the bases of bridges, and transitions made of fiberglass flooring.
Corner symbol:
a – width,
b – height,
c – thickness.C-profile (C-profile)
Due to their corrosion resistance, fiberglass C-profiles are used primarily in the chemical industry.
Symbol for C-shaped profile:
a – width,
b – height,
c – opening width,
d – thickness.Fiberglass beam
Can be used either as a part of an integrated solution, or as an independent structure (fiberglass railings).
Beam symbol:
a – width,
b – height.I-beams
Fiberglass I-beams are most often used as load-bearing structures, which cover large spans and are capable of carrying various loads. I-beams are optimal constructive solution as a base for fiberglass flooring, staircases, lighting installations, walkways, etc.
I-beam symbol:
a – width,
b – height,
c – thickness.Profile "Hat"
Used as an insulating profile mainly in the electronics industry.
Profile symbol:
a – width,
b – size of the upper part of the profile,
c – thickness.Rectangular pipes
The products are capable of bearing both vertical and horizontal loads.
Pipe designation:
a – width,
b – height,
c – wall thickness.Fiberglass rod is used as fiberglass antenna, sun umbrellas, profiles in model making, etc.
Bar symbols:
a – diameter.Taurus
They are used as additional structures in fiberglass walkways, stages, load-bearing surfaces, etc.
Brand symbols:
a – height,
b – width,
c – thickness.Round pipe
Such fiberglass pipes are not used in structures with internal pressure.
Pipe symbols:
a – outer diameter,
b – internal diameter.Intended for use as the base of a structure such as a staircase, staircase or work site, gangway.
Channel symbols:
a – width,
b – height,
c/d – wall thickness.Z-profile (Z-profile)
Designed for use in gas cleaning facilities.
Profile legend:
a – width of the upper part of the profile,
b – height,
c – width of the lower part of the profile.
The dimensions of this material may vary. They are used in almost all fiberglass structures.
Construction is an area in which the chemical industry works tirelessly, creating new alloys and materials for production various products. One of the most important and promising achievements in this area for last years we can name the results associated with work on such a composite material as fiberglass.
Many engineers and builders call it the material of the future, since it has managed to surpass in its qualities many metals and alloys, including alloy steel. What is fiberglass? This is a composite that has two components: a reinforcing and a binding base. The first one is fiberglass, the second one is different in its own way. chemical composition resin. Variations in the amount of both allow you to make fiberglass resistant to the conditions of almost any environment. But it should be understood that there is no universal type
fiberglass, each of them is recommended for use in certain operating conditions. Fiberglass is interesting to designers because finished products
emerges from it simultaneously with the material itself. This feature gives a lot of scope for imagination, allowing you to produce a product with individual physical and mechanical characteristics according to the client’s specified parameters. One of the most common building materials The grating is made from fiberglass. Unlike steel decking, it is produced by casting, which gives it such characteristics as low thermal conductivity
, isotropy, and of course, like steel materials, strength and durability. Made from fiberglass gratings stair steps
, however, the entire structure is also made of fiberglass parts: racks, handrails, supports, channels. Of course, such stairs are very durable, they are not afraid of corrosion and exposure to chemical substances
. They are easy to transport and install. Unlike metal structures, several people are enough to install them. An additional advantage is the ability to choose colors, which increases the visual appeal of the object. Gangways made of fiberglass have become very popular. Their reliability is due to the same unique characteristics the composite we are describing. Pedestrian areas equipped with fiberglass gangways do not require special care It has been proven that the service life of fiberglass is much longer than the latter and amounts to more than 20 years.
Another highly effective offering is the fiberglass handrail system. All railing parts are very compact and easy to carry. hand assembled. In addition, there are many variations for the client finished design, as well as the opportunity to implement your own project.
Due to the dielectric properties of fiberglass, it is used to produce cable channels. The isotropy of this material increases the demand for products planned for use in facilities sensitive to electromagnetic vibrations.
In general, it can be noted that the range of fiberglass products is quite wide. Working with it, builders and designers can realize the most fantastic ideas. All designs offered by our company are reliable and durable. The quality of fiberglass leads to a relatively high price for it, but at the same time it is optimal ratio the advantages of this material and the demand for it. And at the same time, it is important to understand that the costs of its purchase will pay off in the future due to the reduction in costs of its transportation, installation and subsequent maintenance.
When choosing structural materials for the construction of buildings and infrastructure, engineers often choose various types fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP) offering optimal combination strength properties and durability.Widespread industrial use of fiberglass began in the thirties of the last century, but until now its use is often limited by a lack of knowledge about what types of this material are applicable in certain conditions. There are many types of fiberglass; their properties, and therefore their areas of application, may differ in many ways. In general, the advantages of using this type of material are as follows:
Low specific gravity (80% less than steel)
Corrosion resistance
Low electrical and thermal conductivity
Permeability to magnetic fields
High strength
Easy to care forIn this regard, fiberglass is good alternative traditional construction materials– steel, aluminum, wood, concrete, etc. Its use is especially effective in conditions of strong corrosive effects, since products made from it last much longer and require virtually no maintenance.
In addition, the use of fiberglass is justified from an economic point of view, and not only because products made from it last much longer, but also because of its low specific gravity. Due to the low specific weight, savings on transportation costs are achieved, and installation is also simplified and cheaper. An example is the use of fiberglass walkways at a water treatment plant, the installation of which was completed 50% faster than previously used steel structures.[I]Fiberglass walkways installed on the pier
Despite the fact that it is impossible to list all the areas of application of fiberglass in the construction industry, most of them can be summarized into three groups (types): structural elements of structures, gratings and Wall panels.
[U]Structural elements
There are hundreds various types structural elements structures made of fiberglass: platforms, walkways, stairs, handrails, protective covers etc.
[I]Fiberglass staircase[U]Grids
Both casting and pultrusion can be used to make fiberglass gratings. The gratings made in this way are used as decking, platforms, etc.
[I]Fiberglass grille[U]Wall panels
Made from fiberglass, wall panels are primarily used in less critical applications such as commercial kitchens and bathrooms, but they are also used in specialty applications such as bulletproof screens.Most often, fiberglass products are used in the following areas:
Construction and architecture
Tool production
Food industry and beverage industry
Oil and gas industry
Water treatment and purification
Electronics and electrical engineering
Construction of swimming pools and water parks
Water transport
Chemical industry
Restaurant and hotel business
Power plants
Pulp - paper industry
MedicineWhen choosing a specific type of fiberglass for use in a particular area, it is necessary to answer the following questions:
Will they be present at work environment aggressive chemical compounds?
What should the load-bearing capacity be?
In addition, factors such as fire safety, since not all types of fiberglass contain fire retardants.Based on this information, the fiberglass manufacturer, based on the characteristics tables, selects optimal material. In this case, it is necessary to make sure that the characteristics tables refer to the materials of this particular manufacturer, since the characteristics of the manufactured materials vary different manufacturers may differ in many ways.
The article talks about what properties fiberglass has and how applicable it is in construction and in everyday life. You will find out what components are needed to make this material and their cost. The article provides step by step videos and recommendations for the use of fiberglass.
Since the discovery of the effect of rapid petrification of epoxy resin under the action of an acid catalyst, fiberglass and its derivatives have been actively introduced into household products and machine parts. In practice, it replaces or supplements exhaustible Natural resources- metal and wood.
What is fiberglass
The principle of operation underlying the strength of fiberglass is similar to reinforced concrete, and in appearance and structure it is closest to reinforced layers modern “wet” finishing of facades. Typically, the binder is composite, gypsum or cement mortar- tends to shrink and crack, not holding the load, and sometimes not even maintaining the integrity of the layer. To avoid this, a reinforcing component is introduced into the layer - rods, meshes or canvas.
The result is a balanced layer - the binder (in dried or polymerized form) works in compression, and the reinforcing component works in tension. From such layers based on fiberglass and epoxy resin, you can create three-dimensional products, or additional reinforcing and protective elements.
Fiberglass Components
Reinforcing component*. For the manufacture of household and auxiliary building elements, three types of reinforcing material are usually used:
- Fiberglass mesh. This is a fiberglass mesh with a cell size from 0.1 to 10 mm. Since the epoxy solution is an aggressive environment, for products and building structures Impregnated mesh is highly recommended. The mesh cell and thread thickness should be selected based on the purpose of the product and the requirements for it. For example, for reinforcing a loaded plane with a fiberglass layer, a mesh with a cell size of 3 to 10 mm, a thread thickness of 0.32-0.35 mm (reinforced) and a density of 160 to 330 g/cubic meter is suitable. cm.
- Fiberglass. This is a more advanced type of fiberglass base. It is a very dense mesh made of “glass” (silicon) threads. It is used to create and repair household products.
- Fiberglass. It has the same properties as clothing material - soft, flexible, pliable. This component is very diverse - it differs in tensile strength, thread thickness, weaving density, special impregnations - all these indicators significantly affect the final result (the higher they are, the stronger the product). The main indicator is density, ranging from 17 to 390 g/sq. m. This fabric is much stronger than even the famous military cloth.
* The types of reinforcement described are also used for other work, but the product data sheet usually indicates their compatibility with epoxy resin.
Table. Prices for fiberglass (using the example of Intercomposite products)
Astringent. This is an epoxy solution - resin mixed with a hardener. Separately, the components can be stored for years, but mixed form the composition hardens from 1 to 30 minutes, depending on the amount of hardener - the more of it, the faster the layer hardens.
Table. The most common grades of resin
Popular hardeners:
- ETAL-45M - 10 USD. e./kg.
- XT-116 - 12.5 cu. e./kg.
- PEPA - 18 USD e./kg.
An additional chemical component is a lubricant, which is sometimes applied to protect surfaces from penetration of epoxy (for mold lubrication).
In most cases, the master studies and selects the balance of components independently.
How to use fiberglass in everyday life and in construction
In private, this material is most often used in three cases:
- for repairing rods;
- for equipment repair;
- for strengthening structures and planes and for sealing.
Repair of fiberglass rods
To do this, you will need a fiberglass sleeve and a high-strength resin grade (ED-20 or equivalent). The technical process is described in detail in this article. It is worth noting that carbon fiber is much stronger than fiberglass, which means that the latter is not suitable for repairs percussion instrument(hammers, axes, shovels). At the same time, it is quite possible to make a new handle or handle for equipment from fiberglass, for example, the wing of a walk-behind tractor.
Helpful advice. You can improve your tool with fiberglass. Wrap the handle of a working hammer, axe, screwdriver, saw with impregnated fiber and squeeze it in your hand after 15 minutes. The layer will ideally take the shape of your hand, which will significantly affect the ease of use.
Equipment repair
The tightness and chemical resistance of fiberglass allows you to repair and seal the following plastic products:
- Sewer pipes.
- Construction buckets.
- Plastic barrels.
- Rain tides.
- Any plastic parts of tools and equipment that do not experience heavy loads.
Repair using fiberglass - step-by-step video
“Homemade” fiberglass has one irreplaceable property - it is accurately processed and holds rigidity well. This means that hopelessly damaged items can be restored from canvas and resin. plastic part, or make a new one.
Strengthening building structures
Fiberglass in liquid form has excellent adhesion to porous materials. In other words, it adheres well to concrete and wood. This effect can be realized by installing wooden lintels. A board on which liquid fiberglass is applied acquires an additional 60-70% strength, which means that a board twice as thin can be used for a lintel or crossbar. If strengthened with this material door frame, it will become more resistant to loads and distortions.
Sealing
Another method of application is sealing stationary containers. Reservoirs, stone cisterns, swimming pools covered on the inside with fiberglass are becoming increasingly positive properties plastic dishes:
- insensitivity to corrosion;
- smooth walls;
- continuous monolithic coating.
At the same time, the creation of such a coating will cost about 25 USD. e. for 1 sq. m. Real tests of products from one of the private mini-factories eloquently speak about the strength of the products.
Video: fiberglass testing
Of particular note is the possibility of repairing the roof. With a properly selected and applied epoxy compound, you can repair slate or tiles. With its help you can simulate complex translucent structures made of plexiglass and polycarbonate - canopies, Street lights, benches, walls and much more.
As we found out, fiberglass is becoming a simple and understandable repair and construction material that is convenient to use in everyday life. With developed skill, you can create interesting products from it right in your own workshop.
