The Advantages and Properties of Composites

Composites are extremely versatile products - their benefits being:

High Strength to Weight Ratio

This carbon fibre car bonnet demonstrates the high strength to weight ratio of composites. It has a 6mm overall thickness and weighs only 6kg, yet supports a weight of 75kg.

Lightweight

A DVD case lid was produced using carbon fibre to reduce the case's overall weight so that it could be carried as cabin baggage whilst travelling, and for improved security. It was used by support crew for the All Blacks during their 1999 Rugby World Cup campaign.

Fire Resistance

Fibreglass Developments Ltd produces a Fire Door as part of our Steridor^TM range. Use of special Phenolic resin has allowed us to create the only fully tested Composite door in Australasia. Fire rated by BRANZ to 4 hours, this door is also approved by MAF as meeting all their Hygiene requirements.

Electrical Properties

Fibreglass Developments Ltd produced the Insulator Support straps for the Tranz Rail main trunk electrification. The straps, although only 4mm thick, meet the required loads of 22kN. High tensile strength and insulation requirements were also easily met.

Chemical & Weathering Resistance

Composite products have good weathering properties and resist the attack of a wide range of chemicals. This depends almost entirely on the resin used in manufacture, but by careful selection resistance to all but the most extreme conditions can be achieved. Because of this, composites are used in the manufacture of chemical storage tanks, pipes, chimneys and ducts, boat hulls and vehicle bodies.

FDL manufactured architectural panels for the construction of the Auckland Marine Rescue Centre. Composite panels were chosen because of their ability to withstand salty sea side conditions without corrosion.

Colour

Almost any shade of any colour can be incorporated into the product during manufacture by pigmenting the gelcoat used. Costs are therefore reduced by no further finishing or painting. Soluble dyes can be used if a translucent product is desired.

Translucency

Polyester resins are widely used to manufacture translucent mouldings and sheets. Light transmission of up to 85% can be achieved

Design Flexibility

Because of the versatility of composites, product design is only limited by your imagination.

Low Thermal Conductivity

Fibreglass Developments has been involved in the development and production of specialised meat containers which maintain prime cuts of chilled meat at the correct temperature for Export markets. They are manufactured using the RTM process, with special reinforcing and foam inserts.

Manufacturing Economy

Fibreglass Developments produces several models of fuel pump covers for Fuelquip. Fibreglass is an ideal material for producing items of this type for many reasons, including being very economical.

Because of its versatile properties, fibreglass can be used in many varied applications.