fiber content in GRP laminates ???

Discussion in 'Materials' started by mistral, Sep 17, 2004.

  1. mistral
    Joined: Jul 2004
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    mistral Senior Member

    the question is quite easy:
    -Wich is the tipical glass content in a classic glass and polyester/vinylester resin laminate (hand lay-up)???????
    In literature i found values of 28% using Chopped Strand Mat and 38% using Wave Roven or biaxial fabric; so 28% of total weigt is made by reinforcments fibers usind CSM.
    some other following questions, maybe not so easy........
    -are these vaules reliable???
    -wich is the difference between a very carefully operated hand-layup and a "standard" one??? I mean: how much more resin can I squeeze out from laminate????
    and the ultimate question:
    -How much does vacuum bagging improve this ratios??????

    thanks
    Mistral
     
  2. Dutch Peter
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    Dutch Peter Senior Member

  3. mistral
    Joined: Jul 2004
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    mistral Senior Member

    ok, thanks Peter, that's what i was looking for; now let's see if some shipyard-guy will answer our questions with direct knowledge on the subject ;) ; i need reliable numbers to calculate as exactly as i can a hull's weight. Few percentage points of difference mean a great amount of resin (and weight....)

    fair wind
    mistral
     
  4. Dutch Peter
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    Dutch Peter Senior Member

    How critical is this weight? You could have the yard make a lay-up and do a burn test to determine the glass/resin ratio.
     
  5. mistral
    Joined: Jul 2004
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    mistral Senior Member

    as a matter of fact i think that i'll build up some test-panel, 1 square meter sandwich, to have reliable results; the weight is not so much critical (the boat is not a racer), but it takes a slight difference in fiber/resin ratio to have 30kg weight difference in a 9m hull!!!!! Altough she's not a racer i prefer to employ weight in more useful way than adding a bunch of brittle unesuful resin to the hull

    Mistral
     

  6. Not A Guest
    Joined: Jan 2004
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    Not A Guest Junior Member

    It may be easier to use a better weave than to worry about the best ratio.

    Unidirectional cloth will be about 60% fiber (weight).
    Satin weave about 50%.
    Plain weave about 40%
     
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