A . F . P . T   FIBRE FURN

AFPT understand that many smaller jobs can be completed on your own at home. We have a huge range of fibreglass products to help with any kind of fibreglass repair like a hole in the spa or a damaged bumper on your car.

Try building your own canoe or maybe a surfboard!! Whatever the project AFPT have the raw materials, safety equipment and data sheets to assist. So next time you feel the creative spirit calling, get in touch and see how we can help make the project come to life.

Trying to find the right product for the job is sometimes a daunting task. To help you with product selection here is some basic information on some of the products available.

Reinforcements

Chopped Strand Mat - Randomly oriented fibers, 2 to 4 centimeters long, and held together by a styrene dissolvable binder in a rolled mat form. Once the binder is dissolved the material conforms to very tight radii. Its primary uses are for the reinforcement next to the Gel Coat as it reduces print through, as a tooling fabric due to its stiffness and bulking properties, and between layers of woven fabric to increase the laminate strength. Weights are measured in grams per square meter.

Woven Roving - Heavy roving woven into a cloth. These are usually a loose weave and will conform well to compound curves. It is important to remember that due to the woven roving being of a heavy weave they will transfer their pattern through Gel Coat if placed to near the surface. Yielding a high glass to resin ratio, they are very strong fabrics for contact molding and are used as the last laminate layer in large structures such as boats. These fabrics are also available with a Chopped Strand Mat chemically or stitch bonded to the back of the Woven Roving. Weights are measured in grams per square meter.

Resins

Resins constitute the matrix that bonds the reinforcements together, creating the high strength-to-weight composite.

Polyester Resins constitute the majority of the resin used for fiberglass due to its low cost and easy workability. There are general purpose (GP) resins---usually an ortho or blended resin. Iso resins, or sometimes called tooling resins, have higher physical properties and usually smaller shrinkage factors. These resins are available in different viscosities and gel times. Fire Retardant and casting (cultured marble) versions are also available.

Vinyl Ester Resins exhibit very high corrosion resistance properties and are used in many corrosive environments. The marine industry is using more Vinyl Ester Resin to improve their product durability.

Epoxy Resins can be tailored to exhibit many specialized properties. These include high heat resistance, long pot life and superior adhesion. Since epoxies do not contain styrene, they are very low odor and much less flammable than Polyester or Vinyl Ester Resins.

Phenolic Resins offer high heat resistance but do require special processing.

Fillers

Fillers have many functions in the fiberglass and composites industry. In tub, shower and spa applications, fillers are added to the resin system to extend the resin and reduce costs. Fumed Silica's can be added to make the resin more thixotropic. Fillers can impart special physical properties when added to resins such as fire retardant, lightweight and increased stiffness, etc.

Core Materials

Core Materials are used in sandwich composite construction to add stiffness and strength to a product with minimal increase in weight. A skin of reinforced laminate is applied to both sides of the core material. The skins take the loading while the core is only required to keep the skin a specified distance apart.

By increasing the core thickness, you geometrically increase the stiffness of the core structure.

Laminating Aids

We stock all of the aids you need including:

Rollers
Brushes
Protective Clothing and rags
Catalyst Measuring Dispensers
Gloves
Floor Paper
etc.

Gel Coats, Coatings and Putties

Gel Coats are specially modified resins which are usually pigmented to give the finished color to the fiberglass part. Standard grades are Iso, Iso-NPG and Tooling grade. Many specialty gel coats are available for pattern work, fire retardancy, cultured marble clear, etc.

Coatings for many purposes are available including temporary protective coating and polyurethane coating.

Putties are available to your specification for bonding, fairing and lightweight applications. They can be reinforced or unreinforced.

Releases

Releases and Mold Care products are an important part of any good laminating operation. From polishes, sealers, waxes, semi-permanent systems to strippers and temporary protective coatings. We have what you need to maintain and protect your valuable moulds.