JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #42 - July/August 2008 - 37

Process SEM picture of hybrid fibre This formulation was adapted for use with In-Mould Coating (IMC) technology, an environment-friendly and cost-effective painting process for reaction-injection-moulded parts. The R-RIM Telene® process In this project, a machined aluminium billet was used for the highly polished cavity side, while the core side was made from low-cost machine aluminium casting. The button-to-button cycle time is around 4’30” for the pool panels. Four to five minute cycle times are actually quite typical for almost all the moulded parts, regardless of their size, weight and developed surface. This is possible because the formulation can be tailored to fine-tune its reactivity and viscosity build-up rate. Schematic view of the IMC process Extra R&D input, including finite elements analysis (FEA), was a key element in fine-tuning the panel design; for instance, with the simulation of the effect of the back-filling. The pool panels can be produced rapidly and easily using reinforced Telene® with R-RIM technology. The reinforced DCPD systems comprise three formulated, ready-to-use components, A, B and F which , are low-viscosity liquids (300 to 500 Cps). These contain a cocatalyst, a catalyst, and the fibrefilled component, respectively. The three components are fed FEA swimming pool pannel into a high-pressure RIM machine at a 1:1:1 ratio and are then injected into a closed mould, where polymerization starts. Given the moderate pressures at stake (usually less than 2 bars), moulders generally try to choose a low-cost tooling option that will still provide the surface appearance and tool thermal properties they expect from the most expensive tools. Reinforced Telene® is no exception to that rule. Reinforced pDCPD swimming pool panels just before on-site assembly The resulting panels facilitate pool construction: with only five different panels (flat, 90°-in and 90°-out panels), modularity is almost endless, and because the shape flexibility makes it easier to adapt the pool to the building site, there are no longer terrain limitations. Transporting the lightweight modular panels (density 1.23 g/cm3) to the installation site is much easier than for one-piece pools, so accessibility is no longer a problem, either. The high surface quality of the panels is another key element in the material’s success for this particular application, as it eliminates the need for wall liners. The new panel concept also offers the possibility for pool decoration, until now limited to concrete pools. For instance, ceramic tiles can be glued to the panels to decorate the water line. As far as installation is concerned, the panels are fastened to a concrete screed with dowels. Water tightness is guaranteed by an initial sealing strip applied on the edge of the panel before assembly No42 July-August 2008 / JEC Composites Magazine

JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #42 - July/August 2008

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #42 - July/August 2008