Laminate manufacturing:
Vetroresina laminates are made manually by laminating the products on 60-metre long glossy laminating decks. All laminates are coated with a layer of Gelcoat that is approximately 0.4 mm thick. The standard colour of the Gelcoat is white (RAL 9010) with titanium oxide with high UV resistance used as the pigment. Mat layers corresponding to different laminate types are then laminated on top of the Gelcoat. The back surface of the laminate is either roughened for gluing or left untreated for further lamination. The roughening treatment of the back surface is done mechanically so that the gluing surface is dust-free, which improves adhesive bonding.
Materials:
Gelcoat is isophthalic-based and it has food industry authorisation. In addition to the normal fibreglass mat, Roving, Multiaxial and Twaron fabrics are used as reinforcement.
Laminate structure:
The laminate surface is always coated with a layer of Gelcoat that is 0.4 mm thick.
Example: 1.5 mm laminate with only normal fibreglass mat
_______________________________________________________ Gelcoat 500g/m²
------------------------------------------------------------------------- Normal mat 300g/m²
------------------------------------------------------------------------- Normal mat 300g/m²
Example: 2 mm laminate with Roving reinforcement
______________________________________________________ Gelcoat 500g/m²
------------------------------------------------------------------------ Normal mat 300g/m²
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Roving reinforcement 300g/m²
------------------------------------------------------------------------ Normal mat 300g/m²
The aim is to always make the exterior surface of the laminate structure as smooth as possible. A smooth exterior surface looks impressive and is easy to keep clean. It is also easier to repair than a surface in which the shape of the fabric is visible.