DIY fiberglass

Recommendation points

• What is fiberglass
• Fiberglass components
• How to use fiberglass in everyday life and in construction
• Repair of fiberglass rods
• Inventory repair
• Strengthening building structures
• Sealing

The article tells about what properties fiberglass has and how applicable it is in construction and in everyday life. You will find out what components are needed to make this material and their cost. The article provides step-by-step videos and recommendations for the use of fiberglass.

Since the discovery of the effect of rapid fossilization of epoxy resin under the action of an acid catalyst, fiberglass and its derivatives have been actively introduced into household products and machine parts. In practice, it replaces or supplements exhaustible natural resources – metal and wood.

What is fiberglass

The principle of operation underlying the strength of fiberglass is similar to reinforced concrete, and in appearance and structure is closest to the reinforced layers of modern “wet” facade finishing. As a rule, the binder – composite, gypsum or cement mortar – tends to shrink and crack, not holding the load, and sometimes not even maintaining the integrity of the layer. To avoid this, a reinforcing component is introduced into the layer – rods, meshes or canvas.

The result is a balanced layer – the binder (in dry or polymerized form) works in compression, and the reinforcing component works in tension. From such layers based on fiberglass and epoxy resin, you can create bulk products, or additional reinforcing and protective elements.

Fiberglass components

Reinforcing component *. For the manufacture of household and auxiliary building elements, three types of reinforcement material are usually used:

1. Fiberglass mesh. It is a fiberglass mesh with a mesh of 0.1 to 10 mm. Since epoxy grout is a corrosive environment, impregnated mesh is highly recommended for products and building structures. The mesh cell and thread thickness should be selected based on the purpose of the product and the requirements for it. For example, for reinforcing a loaded plane with a fiberglass layer, a mesh with a mesh of 3 to 10 mm, a thread thickness of 0.32–0.35 mm (reinforced) and a density of 160 to 330 g / cu. cm.
2. Fiberglass. This is a more advanced form of fiberglass backing. It is a very dense mesh made of “glass” (silicon) threads. It is used to create and repair household products..
3. Fiberglass. Has the same properties as the material for clothing – soft, flexible, pliable. This component is very diverse – it differs in tensile strength, thread thickness, weaving density, special impregnations – all these indicators significantly affect the final result (the higher they are, the stronger the product). The main indicator is density, ranging from 17 to 390 g / sq. m. This fabric is much stronger than even the famous military cloth.

* The described types of reinforcement are also used for other works, but the product passport usually indicates their compatibility with epoxy resin.

Table. Prices for fiberglass (for example, the products of the company “Intercomposite”)

Density	Price, cu e. / sq. m
17	4.6
25	3
48	3.2
80	2.8
110	2.8
160	3
200	3
280	4,3
390	5.2

Astringent. This is the epoxy solution – resin mixed with hardener. Separately, the components can be stored for years, but in mixed form, the composition hardens from 1 to 30 minutes, depending on the amount of hardener – the more there is, the faster the layer hardens.

Table. Most common resin grades

Name	Manufacturer	Appointment	Price, cu e. / kg
ED-16	Russia, China	Repair work and layers in protected areas	4.6
ED-20	Russia, China	Repair work and layers in open areas	6,3
LR1100	Saudi Arabia	for household needs, bijouterie	2.5

Popular hardeners:

1. ETAL-45M – $ 10 e. / kg.
2. HT-116 – 12.5 cu e. / kg.
3. PEPA – $ 18 e. / kg.

An additional chemical constituent can be called a lubricant, which is sometimes applied in order to protect surfaces from epoxy penetration (to lubricate the molds).

In most cases, the master studies and selects the balance of components independently.

How to use fiberglass in everyday life and in construction

Privately, this material is most often used in three cases:

• for repairing rods;
• for repairing inventory;
• for strengthening structures and surfaces and for sealing.

Repair of fiberglass rods

This requires a fiberglass sleeve and a high-strength resin grade (ED-20 or equivalent). Technically, the process is detailed in this article. It should be noted that carbon fiber is much stronger than fiberglass, which means that the latter is not suitable for repairing percussion tools (hammers, axes, shovels). At the same time, it is quite possible to make a new handle or handle for inventory from fiberglass, for example, a walk-behind tractor wing.

Useful advice.You can improve your tool with fiberglass. Wrap the impregnated fiber around the handle of a working hammer, ax, screwdriver, saw and squeeze in your hand after 15 minutes. The layer will perfectly conform to the shape of your hand, which will noticeably affect the ease of use.

Inventory repair

The tightness and chemical resistance of fiberglass make it possible to repair and seal the following plastic products:

1. Sewer pipes.
2. Construction buckets.
3. Plastic barrels.
4. Rainy tides.
5. Any plastic parts of tools and equipment that do not experience heavy loads.

Repair with fiberglass – step by step video

The “home-made” fiberglass has one irreplaceable property – it is precisely processed and holds rigidity well. This means that a hopelessly damaged plastic part can be restored from canvas and resin, or a new one can be made..

Strengthening building structures

Liquid fiberglass has excellent adhesion to porous materials. In other words, it adheres well to concrete and wood. This effect can be realized when installing wooden lintels. The board, on which the liquid fiberglass is applied, acquires an additional 60-70% strength, which means that for a lintel or a crossbar, you can use a board twice as thin. If you strengthen the door frame with this material, it will become more resistant to loads and distortions.

Sealing

Another application is the sealing of stationary containers. Reservoirs, stone cisterns, pools covered with fiberglass on the inside acquire all the positive properties of plastic dishes:

• insensitive to corrosion;
• smooth walls;
• continuous monolithic coating.

Moreover, the creation of such a coating will cost about $ 25. e. for 1 sq. m. Real tests of products of one of the private mini-factories speak volumes about the strength of the products..

Video – fiberglass tests

Of particular note is the possibility of repairing the roof. With a properly selected and applied epoxy, slate or tiles can be repaired. It can be used to model complex translucent structures made of plexiglass and polycarbonate – awnings, street lamps, benches, walls and much more..

As we found out, fiberglass becomes a simple and understandable repair and construction material that is convenient to use in everyday life. With a developed skill, you can create interesting products from it right in your own workshop.