Fiberglass Types Applications & Cost

[lsudecat04]

Guys.

I, like many of yall are embarking on fiberglass repair on all aspects of your boats. Can we please sticky a thread that has details on what types of fiberglass to use and resin recommendations along with where to purchase the material at the best price and service.

So far i have found out they have a couple types of glass.

1- Continuous strand mats are frequently used when rapid build-up and high conformability is required. When used for vacuum infusion, continuous strands will facilitate resin flow without the slowing effect frequently caused by chopped strand binders. 1.5 oz.

2 - Chopped Strand Mat can be used alone or in conjunction with fiberglass fabrics or woven roving in larger fabrications. Mat is commonly used for buildup such as plywood decking and between layers of fabric when molding. Our mats both meet MIL-M-43248C, Type 1, Class 2, Grade A. Chopped strand mat contains a binder which prevents proper bonding with any epoxy resins. Use our polyester or vinyl ester resins with chopped strand mat.

3 - Woven Roving is used in laminating large fiberglass parts such as boats and tanks where an inexpensive, high impact, high strength reinforcement is required. Woven roving should be used with mat whenever bonding to plywood or making repairs.

Info From this website.
http://www.fibreglast.com/category/Fiberglass_Mat

This is just my start of information. I'll add what I find as I learn more but I know some of yall already know more that I will ever know.

Thanks

 

[teamhart2]

Not to bust on you, but a quick search will turn up tons of stuff, the sticky idea is good, but theres 100 different opinions on the best way to do things, maybe a sticky of Coops stuff since hes been here and done it prolly the most.

check out mertons fiberglass, have some cool info on the website, and great prices and customer service, plus the fastest shipping youll find.

 

[groundloop]

For glassing supplies I like USComposites.com. Most of the time I use epoxy resin, as it has much better physical properties than polyester resin, plus it has about 10 times less water absorption. USComposites has really great prices on epoxy, still more expensive than polyester, but it takes the sting out of using epoxy.

In addition to this site you might take a look at the forum at iboats.com for gathering information on repairs etc.

 

[cooperider]

Unless you are doing vacuum infusion, don't spend the extra money for continuous strand mat. Use chopped.

Resin flow in vacuum infusion is very difficult with chopped strand mat. That's why if you are using infusion you go with the continuous strand mat.

You can use the continuous for both, but can't use the chopped for infusion.

Roving defiinatly needs a layer of mat put down first. When I run out of roving, I probably won't buy anymore. Bi-Axial and Tri-Axial fabrics are the way to go. This ain't the 80's anymore.

Epoxy, I wish I wasn't allergic to it. Polyester and Vynelester(sp) for me. Stinks like crazy, but I love the smell.

BTW, you can use Epoxy over Poly, but you can't use Poly over Epoxy.

But with epoxy, you don't need the mat, continuous, or chopped.



Give me a couple of weeks here, and I'll do a couple of really good posts for you on fiberglass and stuff. Most of my next home time will be spent cleaning out my basement from the latest flood, AGAIN.