Fiberglass resin is made from fiberglass and resin strings and is used in the repair and restoration of boats, cars, and motorcycles. It is mixed with a catalyst to become flexible and hardens as it cools. Safety precautions are necessary when working with fiberglass, as it can cause skin irritation and lung damage. The material appears as a glossy gelcoat and is used to create the shape of the body in molds.
Fiberglass resin is a semi-solid material made from a combination of fiberglass and resin strings. Fiberglass is made from very fine glass fibers and is widely used as a reinforcing agent. Resin is a semi-solid substance that contains the properties necessary to be used as a base for other materials. The most common use of this material is in the repair and restoration of fiberglass boats, automobiles and motorcycles and repair technicians are trained in the special techniques necessary to use this product safely and effectively. It is also known as fiber reinforced polymer or glass reinforced plastic.
When the fiberglass frame of a boat or car needs repair, fiberglass resin is often applied. The addition of the resin creates a product that has a high level of stiffness, essential when building something that has to withstand physical pressure. The process used to form boat hulls or automobile body kits also makes use of this resin.
When using fiberglass resin, a chemical called a catalyst is added. This chemical reacts to the fiberglass and produces heat, which makes the resin flexible. The technician must quickly manipulate the material into place as the material hardens as it cools. Once cured, the material has all the same physical properties as fiberglass.
To form fiberglass, thin strands of glass are separated into tiny fibers. These fibers retain the properties of glass, but can be flexible and mixed with other products. Fiberglass can be combined with a wide variety of materials, depending on the desired end product. When mixed with resin, fiberglass becomes very thick and is temporarily quite malleable.
When working with fiberglass, it is important for people to take proper safety precautions. The fiberglass particles can become loose and work their way under any exposed skin, which will immediately be irritated by the microscopic glass fibers. Users should always wear thick gloves, overalls, and use a respirator when working with fiberglass. The inconvenience of the additional clothing is preferable to the irritation of the fiberglass resin particles.
People who work with fiberglass on a regular basis may want to consider investing in self-contained breathing apparatus. The glass fiber particles are very small and can easily be inhaled. Long-term and repeated exposure to fiberglass can cause permanent lung damage.
When fiberglass resin is applied, it appears as a glossy material, called a gelcoat. Gelcoats are usually mixed with a colored die for easy application and visibility. When a fiberglass body is being created for a car or boat, the fiberglass is placed into the mold to create the shape of the body. When the mold is removed, the gelcoat becomes visible.
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