Raw material
Composites materials are obtained by combining at least two components: RESIN and REINFORCING FIBRES.
The RESIN performs the function of transferring applied loads to the fibres and holds fibres together. The adhesion between the resin and fibres is the most important parameter determining the physical and mechanical properties of the composite. The resins used are: POLYESTER, VINYLESTER, EPOXY and ACRYLICS.

The REINFORCING FIBRES, adhering to the resin, determine the structure and overall mechanical behaviour of the composite.
The fibres used consist of: GLASS, CARBON, ARAMID and other NATURAL, SYNTHETIC and METALLIC ones.
The properties of the fibres are used to give stiffnessand resist tensile and compressive loads.

Other SUBSTANCES are sometimes be added to these two main raw materials (for example, CHEMICAL ADDITIVES, CATALYSTS, PIGMENTS, MINERAL FILLERS and others) in order to obtain profiles with specific physical and mechanical properties.

MAIN CHARACTERISTICS OF RESINS | STANDARD POLYESTER | SELF-EXTINGUISHING POLYESTER | SELF-EXTINGUISHING ACRYLIC | VYNILESTER | EPOXY |
LOW COST | VERY GOOD | FAIR | LACKING | LACKING | LACKING |
VERSATILITY OF PROCESS | VERY GOOD | GOOD | FAIR | GOOD | LACKING |
AVAILABILITY | EXCELLENT | GOOD | GOOD | VERY GOOD | FAIR |
FIRE RESISTANCE PROPERTIES | GOOD | GOOD | EXCELLENT | GOOD | LACKING |
SMOKE EMISSIONS | GOOD | GOOD | EXCELLENT | LACKING | LACKING |
RESISTANCE TO CHEMICALS | FAIR | FAIR | FAIR | EXCELLENT | VERY GOOD |
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES | GOOD | GOOD | FAIR | VERY GOOD | EXCELLENT |
CREEP AND FATIGUE | GOOD | GOOD | FAIR | VERY GOOD | EXCELLENT |
ELECTRICAL INSULATION | GOOD | GOOD | VERY GOOD | GOOD | VERY GOOD |