RTM (Resin Transfer Molding)

Superior Conformat fiberglass mats in R.T.M. add structural strength to the finished part. Conformat provides resistance to fiber wash out during resin injection eliminating resin rich areas, has excellent wet out characteristics reducing injection time plus the high bulk factor allows the fiberglass to easily conform to the shape of the mold.

Superior Surmat and Surmat 100 SF surfacing veils provide the part with a more resin rich surface eliminating fiber print through while providing the part with an outstanding pigmented resin surface or for post painting. Surmat is often used as a surface veil over preform materials. Additionally, Surmat enhances the corrosive barrier for resins formulated to perform under acidic conditions.

Superior R.T.M. Mats:

• N-700, Regular at 7%
This mat consists of densely packed fibers and is most often used to reinforce flat parts. N-700 provides a good surface but not as good as with Surmat. When molding multiple layers of N-700, care should be taken to ensure good mat wet out and that all air has been forced from within the mat.

• N-751, Regular at 6%
This mat consists of dense bundled fibers and is used to reinforce flat or semi-contoured parts. If surface appearance of the final part is a concern, this mat should be used with either Surmat or Surmat 100 SF surfacing veil.

• N-754, Regular at 7%
This mat is more open than N-751 and is used to reinforce flat or semi-contoured parts. If surface appearance of the final part is a concern, this mat should be used with either Surmat or Surmat 100 SF surfacing veil.

• N-758, Regular at 5%
This mat is the most flexible or drapeable mat available making it an excellent reinforcement for complicated or contoured parts. If surface appearance of the final part is a concern, this mat should be used with either Surmat or Surmat 100 SF surfacing veil.

• Surmat
This mat is an economical surfacing veil that provides a very good surface on parts, it also enhances resistance to corrosion under acidic conditions.

• Surmat 100 SF
This mat provides an outstanding critical surface for pigmented resins or post painting by forcing heavier fibers away from the surface, eliminating fiber bloom and raising a slight excess of resin to the surface. Surmat 100 SF also provides resistance to corrosion under acidic conditions.

• Extra Surface Option
Conformat N-751, N-754 and N-758 may be purchased with an additional Surmat type veil already attached to one or both surfaces. See product specifications for details.

When selecting materials for an initial molding trial, examine the overall size and contour of the part. Select either N-751 or N-758 as the reinforcing mat. Mat weight is a function of the desired glass load and should be specified by the customer. See Superior Fibers application note 200 for assistance with calculations. If a good surface is important, begin with 20 MIL Surmat 100 SF over the reinforcement materials.

The maximum width of an R.T.M. mat is 78 inches. If the final part is to be molded with two (2) or more layers of reinforcement it is often good design practice to alternate mat directions to impart more consistent strength to the part in both directions. Reinforcing mat style material should be consistent on both sides from the middle. Unequal reinforcement construction has the potential to cause part warpage.

When selecting roll width for a mat, the maximum part width should correspond to roll width and the minimum part width should be taken from the roll length.

And very importantly, we only use BoronFree ACR Glass in manufacturing our FRP mats. This is the top grade glass that resists corrosion and produces customer-winning quality parts.