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FRP benefits buses in India
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FRP benefits buses in India FIBRE reinforced plastic (FRP) has superseded aluminium and steel as the material of choice for making the roof, floor and window panels of buses in India. M/s PEETEE Coach Builders uses chopped strand mat from FGP Ltd, Hyderabad, and polyester resin from M/s Naphta Resins & Chemicals Ltd, Bangalore. By using FRP, the weight per bus is reduced by about 750 kg. Savings in fuel consumption were one of the main incentives
for reducing this weight. According to PEETEE managing director, Mr T. Nithyanandan, other advantages of using FRP in the bus body are: high strength to weight ratio, larger degree of freedom in styling, parts consolidation and ease of repairing. In the case of an accident, the FRP parts can be very easily replaced in a short time. In addition, fuel efficiency, more lyre mileage, less engine strain, easier general maintenance, improved manouverability
and higher speeds are other benefits. Nithyanandan claims that his company has already standardized the manufacture of roof and flooring from FRP. Over 500 bus owners have expressed full satisfaction with the performance and the coach builder is confident of sales increasing. However, despite years of development to promote FRP as a structural material for bus bodies, further research is needed into mechanized proces-
sing and joining methods. Nithyanandan feels that in the final analysis, the use of FRP in bus bodies will depend on the rate of improvement of composites processing methods. T. Nithyanandan, managing director, PEETEE Coach Builders, Karur, Tamil Nadu, India; or: R.K Gera, manager market development, FGP Ltd, cil- 79, Lakdika-pul, Hyderabad 500 004, A.P. India; tel: + 9140-235536; fax: + 9140-241498.
Fibreglass tanks are friendly to fish WHEN tanks are required to be strong, light, durable, long lasting, smooth on the inside and above all environmentally-friendly, composites come to the fore. Two Oceans Aquarium found this out when it researched suitable materials for its fish-carrying tanks. The aquarium catches and transports fish without hurting them in any way. For this job special tanks had to be built and fared onto the that deck of a boat would be sturdy and not give off any toxic or harmful substances. The basic tank was constructed of marine plywood reinforced with AFI Fibreglass chopped strand mat and woven roving both inside and outside. Polyester resin was used on the outside and special solvent-free West System epoxy with a ceramic epoxy flowcoat was used on the inside.
Reinforced
Plastics March 1996
Epoxy fibreglass
tanks
are safe to transport
fish in.
South African Exaton Composites which supplied the materials, says that epoxy was chosen for the inside of the tanks thanks to its good moisture-resistance. In fact, hydrolysis is unheard of in epoxy composite laminates, says managing director Graham Blyth. In comparison, polyester resin contains water-soluble materials. Polyester also shrinks after it gels because of the high level of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) it contains. These VOCs, principally styrene, have been recognized as a hazard to the environment. Conversely, the West System epoxy eliminates the possibility of contaminating the water, which would be harmful to the fish, says Blyth. Graham Blyth, Exaton Composites; tel: + 27-21-510-2564; fax: + 27-21-251-5497; ’ AFI Fibreglass. Fe;:. + 27-I I-813- 1226: fax: + 27- 1 I-813-4414.
FRP benefits buses in India FIBRE reinforced plastic (FRP) has superseded aluminium and steel as the material of choice for making the roof, floor and window panels of buses in India. M/s PEETEE Coach Builders uses chopped strand mat from FGP Ltd, Hyderabad, and polyester resin from M/s Naphta Resins & Chemicals Ltd, Bangalore. By using FRP, the weight per bus is reduced by about 750 kg. Savings in fuel consumption were one of the main incentives
for reducing this weight. According to PEETEE managing director, Mr T. Nithyanandan, other advantages of using FRP in the bus body are: high strength to weight ratio, larger degree of freedom in styling, parts consolidation and ease of repairing. In the case of an accident, the FRP parts can be very easily replaced in a short time. In addition, fuel efficiency, more lyre mileage, less engine strain, easier general maintenance, improved manouverability
and higher speeds are other benefits. Nithyanandan claims that his company has already standardized the manufacture of roof and flooring from FRP. Over 500 bus owners have expressed full satisfaction with the performance and the coach builder is confident of sales increasing. However, despite years of development to promote FRP as a structural material for bus bodies, further research is needed into mechanized proces-
sing and joining methods. Nithyanandan feels that in the final analysis, the use of FRP in bus bodies will depend on the rate of improvement of composites processing methods. T. Nithyanandan, managing director, PEETEE Coach Builders, Karur, Tamil Nadu, India; or: R.K Gera, manager market development, FGP Ltd, cil- 79, Lakdika-pul, Hyderabad 500 004, A.P. India; tel: + 9140-235536; fax: + 9140-241498.
Fibreglass tanks are friendly to fish WHEN tanks are required to be strong, light, durable, long lasting, smooth on the inside and above all environmentally-friendly, composites come to the fore. Two Oceans Aquarium found this out when it researched suitable materials for its fish-carrying tanks. The aquarium catches and transports fish without hurting them in any way. For this job special tanks had to be built and fared onto the that deck of a boat would be sturdy and not give off any toxic or harmful substances. The basic tank was constructed of marine plywood reinforced with AFI Fibreglass chopped strand mat and woven roving both inside and outside. Polyester resin was used on the outside and special solvent-free West System epoxy with a ceramic epoxy flowcoat was used on the inside.
Reinforced
Plastics March 1996
Epoxy fibreglass
tanks
are safe to transport
fish in.
South African Exaton Composites which supplied the materials, says that epoxy was chosen for the inside of the tanks thanks to its good moisture-resistance. In fact, hydrolysis is unheard of in epoxy composite laminates, says managing director Graham Blyth. In comparison, polyester resin contains water-soluble materials. Polyester also shrinks after it gels because of the high level of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) it contains. These VOCs, principally styrene, have been recognized as a hazard to the environment. Conversely, the West System epoxy eliminates the possibility of contaminating the water, which would be harmful to the fish, says Blyth. Graham Blyth, Exaton Composites; tel: + 27-21-510-2564; fax: + 27-21-251-5497; ’ AFI Fibreglass. Fe;:. + 27-I I-813- 1226: fax: + 27- 1 I-813-4414.