Glassfibre Reinforced Products (GRP)

 GRP  / Phenonlic
-is one of the most versatile materials in the world –it allows a flexible solution to meet our customer requirements. Customers can select from a whole range of facilities and processes that are currently available, to match both the specification and the budget.

Design 
Our full design and drawing capabilities (CAD/Solid works) gives our
customers the opportunity to view their project(s) from all aspects
before the design is fixed. Material specification and full F.E.
analysis can add even further dimensions to an already comprehensive
package.

Pattern Making
From concept to shopfloor, skilled pattern makers take the information from the drawings and can transform it into a very accurate fully finished master pattern / mould.

Manufacturing Facilities
We have suffieceint capacity to undertake a number of projects and an extensive amount of our manufacturing floor space.

Our fully trained, professional workforce is supported by a monitored quality system - to ensure that our customers product is
produced and finished to the highest possible standard.

Manufacture Process
We offer many manufacturing processes including:-  
Resin transfer
Hand Lay
Injection moulding
Complete paint finish facilities.

Chemical Resistancy:
Extensive laboratory testing, field trials, case histories and practical experiences in various parts of the world have enabled the development of resins effective in various chemical environments. Strength and enhanced protection is achieved by including chopped strand glass mat, acid resistant glass flakes or beads during different stages of its application.

Where particularly aggressive chemicals or chemical mixes are to be used or stored it would be advisable to inform us of the chemical type, its concentration and working temperature. The most appropriate resin and additives
can then be selected.

Potable Water
The materials used for potable water have Water Research Council Certification, which satisfies Water Board Authority requirements. Such resins are to BS6920 and will not encourage Legionela Pneumophila growth. These resins have been
subject to microbiological growth tests and nutrients necessary for growth were not found to exist.

Fire Retardant
Where specified, applications can be made fire retardant to conform to BS476, part 7, Class II Surface spread of flame or Class 0 (combustibility) Class I flame spread. These specifications may carry an additional financial cost.

Inherent Qualities
GRP systems are wide and varied. They have a high strength to weight ratio, excellent impact resistance and good dimensional stability or can offer up to 230% elongation where flexibility is essential. Unlike metals or cement, GRP is weatherproof and virtually maintenance free, thus it is well suited for external applications as well as internal. It has elastomeric qualities and a good memory. Couple this with the fact that it is reinforced and we have a material that can expand and contract under the severest weather conditions and most industrial environments.

Hygiene
GRP will solve or limit many problems. For example, it will eliminate secondary fermentation from damp ingression in breweries; it is resistant to fungicidal growth and withstands abrasion e.g. in grain chutes. Its flexibility is extensive and can be used in many problem areas.

Heat distortion
Certain resins have a very high heat distortion point. Where this is critical, specific details of the given environment should be supplied to Towerinput upon receipt of which an assessment can be made.

Application
Where product tainting needs to be avoided a cure period at ambient temperature of not less than 15ºC, for 7 days should be allowed. Alternatives include 24 hours post curing at a minimum of 40ºc or the surface can be steam cleaned for early use. This is a general guide and not applicable in all circumstances. In the event of it being necessary for the linings or mouldings to be conductive (i.e. for static electricity or lightening) a carbon veil can be included in the lay-up specification.

This carries an additional cost. For slip resistant surfaces a spread of glass beads is included in the final cost. The grade of
bead can be varied to cope with different requirements. Floor finishes invariably contain a multi coloured flake to give a tasteful flecked finish. Otherwise a variety of colours are available. GRP lends itself to safety and hygiene in as much as it is seamless, easy to clean, non-corrosive and does not flake. In the unlikely event of damage, repairs are easy and economical to
effect.

Substrates must be sound and dry where solvent based materials are to be applied. Some dampness is permissible with water miscible systems.

The Process
The preparation of the surface to be lined will vary from project to project. For example high-pressure shot-blasting will invariably be used to clean the inside walls of tanks or to remove the glaze from quarry tiles. On weak metal structures the best option may be mechanical cleaning. Steam cleaning, acetone wiping or a simple brush are other alternatives we can suitably employ.

Where existing surfaces have deteriorated it is usually still possible to apply GRP. However, it should be noted that the linings will follow the contours of that to which it is applied. For example, when covering wall tiles or breeze blocks the shape of these can still be discerned albeit grout and cement lines are softened.

To achieve the smoothest possible finish a render coat or skim of
plaster is advisable Resins used on vertical surfaces contain thixotropic agents to prevent drainage runs or drips. Floor linings contain no thixotropic agents and are therefore self levelling. Accordingly minor irregularities in the floor surfaces can be
lost depending on the chosen system For further information on the process you are invited to contact us.