Fiberglass molding

The laminate is a hand using the simplest of tools made ​​by hand member made ​​of fiber- reinforced plastic. The size of the components ranging from small containers or moldings to gliders and sport boats. In the accompanying hand lamination process, a negative form, rarely a positive mold of the component is mostly used and respectively on the desired fiber fabric (for example, glass fiber mats ) and the matrix placed therein (eg epoxy resin).

Negative form

The negative mold is coated with a release wax, so that the finished component can be good release from the mold after curing. As the outermost layer is followed by the gel coat, which forms the outer visible layer and the laminate is waterproof. The gel coat is applied directly to the separation of wax and is often colored with a coloring pigment. The glass fiber mats are impregnated with the resin and inserted by hand in layers (laminate) into the mold. After each coating is applied as required in addition resin until the fibers are saturated with no air bubbles with the resin ( the matrix). There must be no air pockets exist, as these are the total resistance and can reduce in certain directions ( isotropy ). Air circuits are pressed out with a hard roll of the laminate, or in a vacuum process sucked out by a vacuum between the mold and a covering film. Thereafter, the component has to cure. This is done either cold air or warm to hot in the hardening furnace, also called annealing. The hot curing higher strengths are achieved and the curing process runs a little faster.

Positive form

The positive mold is an example of rigid foam manufactured body or a coated with, for example chicken wire supporting frame. It remaining after completion of the component mainly in the interior thereof. Depending on the material of the mold and the resin, a release layer is required for the mold is not chemically attacked by the resin. In positive form of the gelcoat is as an outer layer applied last, often rolled, brushed or sprayed as a coating.

Resin

Commonly used resins are unsaturated polyester resin / UP ( inexpensive) and epoxy resin ( about 2 times more expensive). When resin is exactly to look for the right mix of binder and curing agent and a good mixing of the two components. Thus, the epoxy resin is removed from a metering device, then stirred well and taken from each portion of the mixed a small sample drops in order to demonstrate the strength of the individual mixtures, for example, in glider. The processing time is depending on the material from a few minutes to several hours.