Fibreglass Products

Fibreglass rods are products made of glass fibres and resin that can be used for various purposes. Fibreglass rods have many advantages over other materials, such as steel, aluminium, or wood.

Some of these advantages are: 

• They are lightweight and easy to handle, transport, and install.
• They are strong and stiff, and can withstand high loads and stresses.
• They are corrosion-resistant and weather-resistant, and can endure harsh environments and temperatures. They do not rust, rot, or decay.
• They are flexible and adaptable, and can be shaped and cut to fit various specifications and designs.
• They are non-conductive and non-magnetic, and do not interfere with electrical or magnetic fields. This makes them ideal for applications that require insulation or safety.

Some of the common uses of fibreglass rods are:

• Formwork: They are used as spacers between formply sheets in concrete formwork. They help to create a smooth and uniform surface for the concrete to set.
• Sailing: They are used as sail battens in sailing boats. They help to support and shape the sails, and improve their aerodynamic performance.
• Farming: They are used as stakes or posts in farming and agriculture. They help to support plants, crops, vines, or fences.
• Telecommunications: They are used as cable rods or duct rods in telecommunications and power industries. They help to install or repair cables or wires in ducts or conduits.
• Fishing: They are used as fishing rods in recreational or commercial fishing. They help to cast and retrieve the fishing line, hook, and bait.
• Fibreglass rods come in different sizes, shapes, colours, and finishes. They can be customized according to the needs and preferences of the customers.  

Some of the factors that affect the quality and performance of fibreglass rods are:

• Diameter: Larger diameters provide more stiffness and strength, while smaller diameters provide more flexibility and bendability.
• Length: Longer lengths provide more reach and coverage, while shorter lengths provide more control and accuracy.
• Resin: Different types of resins have different properties and characteristics. For example, polyester resin is cheaper and more common, but epoxy resin is stronger and more resistant.
• Glass: Different types of glass have different densities and colours. For example, E-glass is lighter and clearer, but S-glass is heavier and darker.

To make fibreglass rods, a method called pultrusion is used. This is a non-stop process that pulls glass fibre strands through a liquid resin, then a die that gives them the shape they require. The resin hardens as it comes out of the die, making a solid fibreglass rod with a smooth finish.

Fibreglass battens are used as sail battens in sailing boats. A sail batten is a device that helps the sails of a boat to have support and shape, and perform better aerodynamically.

Fibreglass sailing battens are usually flat or rectangular in shape, and have a tapered profile that narrows towards the ends. A typical fibreglass sailing batten has a thickness of about 0.5 to 5 mm, and can be up to several metres long.