Molding process of FRP grating

Molding process of FRP grating is the oldest and most versatile method for making composite materials. It’s a way to put premix or prepreg into a metal mold. Then, you heat and press it to solidify and shape it.

The main advantages of the compression molding process are:

High production efficiency, easy-to-achieve specialization, and automation in production.

1. The product has high dimensional accuracy and good repeatability.

2. Smooth surface; no need for secondary modification.

3. Capable of producing products with complex structures in one go.

4. The price is low because of mass production.

Compression molding has some downsides. First, mold manufacturing can be complex. Second, it requires a large investment. Also, the press machine has limitations. Compression molding is ideal for mass-producing small and medium-sized composite products. As metal processing technology and press manufacturing improve, press size keeps growing. At the same time, the molding temperature and pressure of materials are lower. This shift is driving the trend toward larger molded products. You can now make big automotive parts, bathtubs, and bathroom components.

The molding process has different types. These types depend on the physical state of the reinforcing material. They also depend on the molding materials used.

1. Fiber material molding is a way to create composite products. It involves injecting pre-mixed or pre-impregnated fiber materials into metal molds. This process occurs at a specific temperature and pressure. This method is simple and easy to install, with a wide range of applications. According to different specific operations, there are premix molding and prepreg molding methods.

2. The crushed fabric molding method begins by cutting scraps of glass fiber cloth or other fabrics. These can include linen, organic fiber, asbestos, or cotton cloth. Someone soaks these pieces in resin glue. Then, the workers heat and press them in a metal mold to create composite material products.

3. The fabric molding method uses resin glue to soak two- or three-dimensional fabrics. We weave these fabrics into the desired shape. Next, workers heat and press them into a metal mold. This process creates composite material products.

4. The laminated molding method shapes glass fiber cloth or other resin-impregnated fabrics. It then creates composite products by heating or pressing them in a metal mold.

5. The winding molding method uses a special winding machine. It applies tension and temperature to wrap continuous fibers or tape soaked in resin. This tape goes onto a core mold. Then, it heats and presses the mold to create composite material products.

6. The SMC molding method starts with cutting SMC sheets. We cut them to fit the product’s size, shape, and thickness. Next, it layers several pieces and places them in a metal mold. Then, it heats and presses them to form the final product.

   In the preform molding method, a preform shaped like short fibers fits into a metal mold. Next, someone injects a prepared adhesive (resin mixture) into the mold. This process occurs at a specific temperature and pressure to form the product.

Molding materials come in various types. They can be pre-impregnated, pre-mixed, or raw materials.

The main types of molding materials used today are:

• Pre-impregnated tape

• Fiber premix

• BMC

• DMC

• HMC

• SMC

• XMC

• TMC

• ZMC