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Fibreglass

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Fibreglass Product Moulding

What’s in a name?

Is it fibreglass or fiberglass? GRP (Glass Reinforced Plastic) or FRP (Fibre Reinforced Plastic)? It depends a bit on where you come from, but they all refer to the same thing: a mat or cloth of glass fibres embedded in a plastic resin.

What we call it isn’t so important. How we make it is. Traditionally, fibreglass products are produced by coating an open mould with gel coat. Layers of glass fibre are then built up with plastic resin being manually applied. The result is left to cure (i.e. for the resin to harden) before the mould can be reused. It’s messy, emits lots of fumes and requires a lot of labour.

Image of our fibreglass moulding process

Resin Transfer Moulding

Resin Transfer Moulding (RTM) is a closed moulding process for making fibreglass products. After coating the mould with gel coat, the glass fibres are laid out. The two halves of the mould are then brought together and the resin is injected by a quick, semi-automated process. Heating the mould reduces curing time, allowing quicker cycling of the mould and higher throughput. With its low labour requirements, superior engineering characteristics and minimal waste, Resin Transfer Moulding allows production of the highest quality fibreglass products at the lowest possible price.

The Benefits of RTM

  • Gel coat can be applied to both surfaces of the moulding to provide engineered or smooth finishes on both sides of the moulded part.
  • Products can also be made without gel coat.
  • Parts have a controlled and consistent thickness.
  • Much higher stiffness to weight ratios are achievable.
  • A very clean workshop environment contributes to higher quality.
  • Zero air entrapment within the product.
  • Up to 10 times faster than hand lay-up.
  • Parts can be designed around very tight tolerances.
  • Ability to add inserts and reinforcements at point of infusion for greater strength, rigidity or for mounting points.

Low environmental impact

Our commitment to quality doesn’t end there. A state of the art 6-axis Robotic Grinder cuts and trims each component to its perfect size. Less labour. Highest quality. Lowest price.