The use of fibreglass, glass marble and glass flake in thermoplastics and thermoset.

Fibreglass (PA, PP, PBT, PC, ABS, PVC) Engineering plastics are a plastic group with higher mechanic and/or thermal characteristics. They are more expensive than PS, PET, and PE resins which are used in packaging industry, and mainly used in automotive, electronic and consumer goods where mechanic characteristics are more important. The term “engineering plastics” is mostly used for thermoplastic resins such as ABS, Nylon 6 / 6.6 / 12, PP, PVC, and PBT. Engineering Plastics have, in time, replace the traditional materials such as wood and/or metal in many applications. According to the mechanical values obtained, its lightness and other characteristics allow complex forms to be easily moulded.
Thermoplastics are made in composite structures by various admixtures, fillings and reinforcement, and gain some characteristics such as durability, rigidity, wear resistance, and strength. And, in order to give durability and strength to thermoplastics, addition of Fibreglass is a must. Reinforcement fibreglass is manufactured as trimmed fibreglass with 3 – 4,5 mm in length, suitable for the thermoplastic resin in which they will be used.
Since 2012, Omnis Kompozit Ltd. has been supplying all fiberglass needs of Cam Elyaf A.Ş., which are suitable for thermoplastic resins, and also providing fibreglass suitable for thermoplastic resins such as PA, PP, PBT, PC, ABS, PVC, ETC., through foreign-sourced companies.
GLASS MARBLE
Sovitec is a leader manufacturer in Europe with more than 50 years in producing glass marbles. This product can be used in road marks, surface sanding, engineering plastics, and in strengthening of resin systems, and in particular, in materials with high density such as silicon and BMC to increase their viscosity and surface performance. Omnis Kompozit Ltd. has been working with Sovitec as its distributor in Turkey region since 2014.
There is two different groups of glass marble, one for plastics, and the other for composite materials. Microperl and OMicron brand products, for plastic and coating industry and dentistry, respectively, are available in 3 – 110 micron sizes. All marbles are supplied with binders consistent with their manufacturing methods. Binders ensure the desired resistance values by building bonds suitable for carrier resin systems. Glass marbles provide surface scratch resistance, size stabilization, viscosity, and ease of application. Glass marbles protect the resin systems in which they are used against surface scratches and wear, they also make the surface and the colors seem brighter.
Advantages;
• Improves the surface performance of the end product,
• Provides resistance against surface scratches and wear,
• Increases the viscosity of the resin,
• Reduces the shrinking after moulding,
• Provides fast and easy extrusion and injection, It can be used in automotive parts, home appliances, electrical devices, floor covering (wood, paint, epoxy), etc..
GLASS FLAKE Established in 1987 in Leeds, Great Britain, Glass Flake Ltd. holds the title of European Leader Glass Flake Manufacturer since the day one, and actively continue to manufacture glass flake. Omens Kompozit Ltd. has been working with Glass Flake as its distributor in Turkey region since 2012.
Manufactured from E, C, ECR glass types, glass flakes serve as protection shield on the surface. Glass flakes are piled downward starting from the surface toward lower layers, and serve as a barrier to slow down the undesired effects of corrosion, humidity, etc. As for the use of glass flake with gelcoat; it’s possible to alleviate the issues such as scoring, fissures, abrasions, and UV deterioration which are among the general gelcoat problems by using glass flake.
Advantages;
•Provides rigid impermeable surface by creating a perfect matrix on the CTP application surfaces,
•Compatible with polyesters, vinyl esters, Epoxy and Phenolic resins,
•It prevents osmosis when it’s used with polyester and Epoxy Gelcoat resins,
•Due to low lateral shrinkage of the material, it provides size stabilization during curing of resins,
•Provides resistance against corrosive medium,
•It significantly slows down the in-funnel corrosion in Fuel Gas Desulphurization (FGD), and extends the lifespan of the funnel,
•Provides surface resistance against any chemical agents and solvents,
•Provides perfect resistance against corrosion on the inner surfaces of metal pipes, concrete pipes and CTP pipes used in oil, gas and thermal water pipelines.
Recai Turan Mechanical Engineer Omnis Kompozit Ltd.