VALLEY FORGE, Penn. (October 1, 2003) – Saint-Gobain Vetrotex
has developed a reinforcement product that provides superior alkaline
and corrosion resistant properties in composites and laminates. ARcotex™
glass reinforcement has been shown to significantly extend the service
life of end-use products in both acid and alkaline environments. As
a result, ARcotex reinforcements are especially well suited to applications
such as tanks, pipes, and fittings used to store and transport chemicals.
AR (alkali resistant) glass was initially developed for concrete reinforcement.
Saint-Gobain researchers discovered that the glass also resists acids
very well, but in its early forms AR glass had not been optimized
as compatible with FRP resin systems. Development of new sizing technology
makes ARcotex reinforcement compatible and provides the composites
industry with a reinforcement that lasts up to three times as long
as conventional reinforcements in acid and alkaline media.
Tests at the Swedish Corrosion Institute in Stockholm show ARcotex
reinforcement resists all pH ranges (1 – 14), even at high temperature
or during rapid and extreme changes in pH. “These are very aggressive
acid and alkaline environments, such as you find in the chemical industry,
paper manufacturing, and agriculture. ARcotex reinforcement helps
protect the laminate in the most extreme environments,” said
Stephan Liozu, Business Manager, AR Glass Specialty Reinforcements.
ARcotex reinforcement is commercially available in chopped strand
mat, conventional roving, and glass veil. Introduction of various
other reinforcement forms will be announced soon.
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