Heat Resistance

Another remarkable advantage of using custom Fiberglass Reinforced Polymers (FRP) is that they can be designed, formulated and manufactured per your requirements.  Using fillers, additives and modifiers in the manufacturing process can enhance your product in many ways, one being heat resistance.  FRP are a cost-effective choice when selecting heat resistant materials.

As with UV light, heat has the ability to degrade FRP.  Degradation or the breakdown of FRP materials is a result of the oxidization of polymers.  Using stabilizers will help to mitigate the effects of prolonged exposure to heat, and are an essential ingredient when creating durable heat resistant FRP.

Stabilizers

Simply put, heat stabilizers are additives that protect or reduce the effects of heat or radiation on plastics or polymers.  In some cases, heat stabilizers are used in thermoplastic systems to inhibit polymer degradation that results from exposure to heat.  The effectiveness of the stabilizers against weathering (heat degradation, UV radiation etc.) depends on solubility, ability to stabilize in different polymer matrices, the distribution in matrices, and evaporation loss during processing and use.

Heat stabilizers are mainly used for construction products made of polyvinyl chloride, for instance window profiles, pipes and cable ducts.  However, it is also important in the manufacturing of FRP and the uses/applications are potentially limitless.

Fire and Smoke Resistance

Proper design and choice of ingredients are paramount when preparing to execute the manufacturing of an enhanced composite product.  For example, combustion resistance is improved by proper choice of resin, use of fillers, or flame retardant additives.

Included in this category are materials containing ATH (alumina trihydrate), bromine, chlorine, borate, and phosphorus.  The filler alumina trihydrate is frequently used in this application because it gives off water when exposed to high temperatures thereby reducing flame spread and development of smoke.  Another common hydration filler used for fire resistance throughout the fiberglass industry is calcium sulfate.