Spray-up molding

Auftrageveifahren Spriihveifahren) spray nozzle Zerstauberdiise spray-up molding/ fiber-spray gun molding... 

The hand lay-up or spray-up process, used universally for the production of laminar composites incorporating glass fiber reinforcement, is most efficient for the manufacture of large parts, such as boats, bathtubs, tanks, architectural shapes, and recreational accessories. Resins intended for spray-up processes are usually modified with thixotropic additives, such as fumed siHca (1%), to reduce the risk of drainage when appHed over large vertical mold surfaces. Molds are also made from ERP for short-mn products usually surfaced with a tooling gel coat to provide consistent surface quaHty and appearance. 

Gel coats are pigmented polyester coatings appHed to the mold surface and are an integral part of the finished laminate. Gel coats are used widely on hand lay-up and spray-up parts to enhance surface aesthetics and coloration as weU as to provide an abrasion-resistant waterproof surface that protects the underlying glass-reinforced stmcture. 

Hand Lay-Up and Spray-Up. In hand lay-up, fiber reinforcements in mat or woven form are placed on the mold surface and then saturated with a Hquid polymer, typicaHy a polyester resin, that has been chemically activated to polymerize (cure) without the addition of heat. Multiple pHes of reinforcement and multiple cure steps aHow very heavy waH thicknesses to be achieved. 

In the spray-up process a reinforcement, usuaHy glass fiber, is substituted for the mat and a special spray gun simultaneously chops the glass fiber and appHes it with catalyzed resin to the mold surface. Hand rolling techniques then consoHdate the fiber and resin to conform to the mold surface contours. The shorter chopped fibers aHow for more intricate design detaHs than do mats. Both processes rely heavily on the operators skiHs for product quahty. These two processes require the least capital investment and have the largest product size capabHity of aH the processes. A single-surface mold produces a part with one controHed (usuaHy the visible) surface. 

The rigidi d thermoplastic sheet - Tiocess combines thermoplastic sheet vacuum forming with a spray-up or cold press molding process to add a thermoset composite stmctural backing to a decorative thermoplastic skin. Large parts such as bathtubs, hot tubs, recreation vehicle components, and camper tops have been produced by this process. 

Ease of cure, easy removal of parts from mold surfaces, and wide availabiHty have made polyesters the first choice for many fiber-reinforced composite molders. Sheet mol ding compound, filament winding, hand lay-up, spray up, and pultmsion are all weU adapted to the use of polyesters. Choosing the best polyester resin and processing technique is often a challenge. The polyester must be a type that is weU adapted to the processing method and must have the final mechanical properties requked by the part appHcation. Table 1 Hsts the deskable properties for a number of fiber-reinforced composite fabrication methods. 

Injection Molding Extrusion Blow Molding Thermoforming Reaction Injection Molding Rotational Molding Compression and Transfer Molding Matched Mold Spray-up... 

Process used provides different control capabilities. As an example closed molding (injection, compression, etc.) provides fine detail on all surfaces. Open molding (blow molding, thermoforming, spray-up, etc.) provides detail only on the one side in contact with the mold, leaving the second side free-formed. Continuous production (extrusion and pultrusion) yields products of continuous length. Hollow (rotational or blow) produces hollow products. These processes can be used creatively to make different types of products. For example, two molded or thermo-formed components can be bonded together to form a hollow product, or they can be blow molded. 

Resin Transfer Molding Spray-up Hand Lay-up Mat-Preform Compound... 

Spray-up Popular system with reinforced plastic production. An air spray gun includes a roller cutter that chops usually glass fiber rovings to a controlled short length before being blown in a random pattern (manually or automatically) onto a surface of the mold simultaneously the gun sprays catalyzed TS polyester plastic. The chopped fibers are plastic coated as they exit the gun s nozzle. The resulting, rather fluffy, RP mass is consolidated with serrated rollers to squeeze out air and reduce or eliminate voids. A closed mold... 

Compression molding Filament winding Hand lay-up Mat molding Pressure bag molding Continuous pultrusion Injection molding Spray-up... 

Contact Molding. Spray-up Pressure Bag Filament Winding Continuous Pultrusion Premix/ Molding Compound Matched Die Molding with Preform or Mat... 

Although most boats are produced via the open mold spray-up process, environmental pressures are mounting due to the high styrene monomer emissions that are inherent in open molding techniques. Closed molded techniques are beginning to be commercially practiced, and it is anticipated that these processes will replace the open mold process. 

The compositions may be cast, laid up by hand, sprayed, or molded. The final products are used as corrugated or flat panels, helmets, electric appliances, furniture, containers, automotive housings, boats, house sidings, modular bathrooms, and chemical storage tanks. 

The use of FRP is desired to replace older materials of construction such as concrete, stucco, etc. They have been used in many historical preservation projects. The reason they are desired is because of light weight, durability ease of installation, and low maintenance (no dry rot, attack by insects, mold, etc.). These are typically nonstructural parts made by spray-up process or continuous panel process. An example are shown in Figure 23.11. This market is expected to continue to grow. The main resin used for exterior architectural applications are halogenated polyester resins. Since there is not a smoke requirement, resins that meet the ASTM E-84 flame spread requirement of <25 can be used for this application. The other common material used for these applications is polyester resin or modified acrylic resins that are filled with ATH. The ATH filled resins can also be used in interior applications since they will typically also have low smoke values. 

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