MAGNETIC GLASS FIBRE COMPONENT

Abstract

The present invention provides a magnetic glass fibre component comprising at least one glass fibre component coated and/or impregnated with an iron ore containing resin.

Claims

1. A magnetic glass fibre component comprising at least one glass fibre component coated and/or impregnated with an iron ore containing resin, in which the resin comprises one or more resin selected from: orthophthalic and/or isophthalic resin, and in which the resin comprises at least 10% w/w iron ore(s).

2. A magnetic glass fibre component as claimed in claim 1, in which the resin comprises one or more iron ores selected from: magnetite, hematite, maghemite, and pyrrhotite, or any combination thereof.

3. A magnetic fibre component as claimed in claim 2, in which the iron ore is magnetite.

4. A magnetic glass fibre component as claimed in claim 1, in which the iron ore containing resin comprises magnetite in orthophthalic resin.

5. A magnetic glass fibre component as claimed in claim 1, in which the glass fibre component comprises glass fibre matting.

6. A magnetic glass fibre component as claimed in claim 5, in which the glass fibre matting is selected from woven glass, E-glass, C-glass, or any combination thereof.

7. A method for the production of a magnetic glass fibre component, comprising: mixing at least one iron ore with at least one resin to provide an iron ore containing resin; and depositing iron ore containing resin onto at least one glass fibre component.

8. A method as claimed in claim 7, in which the at least one glass fibre component is glass fibre matting.

9. A method as claimed in claim 7, further comprising: obtaining a mould; coating the mould with a plastic coating prior; and inserting the at least one glass fibre component into the mould prior to depositing the iron ore containing resin.

10. A method as claimed in claim 7, further comprising mixing the iron ore containing resin with one or more of a catalyst and/or a hardener.

11. A method as claimed in claim 7, further comprising layering the glass fibre components either prior to, during, or after depositing the iron ore containing resin to produce a component having predetermined thickness.

12. A magnetic material comprising a magnetic glass fibre component as claimed in claim 1.

13. A material as claimed in claim 12, in which the material is a composite material.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0039] FIG. 1 is a Flow diagram of the method for the production of a magnetic glass fibre component according to one

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] With reference to the FIG. 1, a production mould is prepared having predetermined shape and dimensions for the resultant magnetic glass fibre component. The production mould is lined with a plastic coating, such as for example Gel coat.

[0041] A section of fibre glass matting is introduced into the mould such that at least one surface is in contact with the plastic coating.

[0042] Magnetite in an amount of at least 10% w/w, preferably in the range of between 10% and 50% w/w, is mixed with orthophthalic resin. It is however to be understood that any suitable iron ore, such as for example hematite, maghemite or pyrrhotite, and any suitable resin such as for example polyester, isophthalic, epoxy, vinyl ester, may be used.

[0043] Once fully mixed, the magnetite containing orthophthalic resin turns black in colour. A catalyst or hardener, for example 2% w/w Methyl ethyl ketone peroxide (MEKP) is added to the magnetite containing orthophthalic resin and mixed together at the room temperature of between 16° C. and 20° C.

[0044] Once mixed, the magnetite containing orthophthalic resin will slowly start to cure providing a certain amount of ‘working time’ allowing the process to be finished. The magnetite containing orthophthalic resin is applied to the free surface(s) of the fibre glass matting using an application roller during the period of working time to remove air bubbles. It is to be understood that the magnetite containing orthophthalic resin may be applied using any suitable techniques and is not to be limited to roller application.

[0045] The magnetite containing orthophthalic resin soaks into the weave of the fibre glass matting to provide magnetic fibre glass. The magnetite containing orthophthalic resin is left to cure or solidify prior to removal of the coated fibre glass component from the mould.

[0046] The process can be repeated for multiple layers of fibre glass matting to provide a composite material comprising the desired number of coated layers and having predetermined thickness. The thickness is preferably measured in a direction extending substantially perpendicular to the plane defined by the fibre glass matting. Preferably, the magnetic fibre glass material has a thickness of at least 1 mm, preferably at least 2 mm, for example at least 3 mm. The magnetic fibre glass material may have a thickness of no more than 20 mm, preferably no more than 10 mm, for example no more than 5 mm. The magnetic fibre glass material may have a thickness in the range of between 1 mm and 50 mm, preferably in the range of between 2 mm and 10 mm, more preferably in the range of between 3 mm and 5 mm.

[0047] In one embodiment, a core material may be located next to a layer of, and preferably between adjacent layers of, magnetic fibre glass component to provide a composite magnetic fibre glass component. The core material may be composed of any suitable material to provide the resultant composite component with the desired properties.

[0048] The coated fibre glass component may be formed using any suitable process such as hand laying, RTM, silicone bagging, vacuum bagging, or injection moulding.

[0049] The process provides magnetic fibre glass material which can be formed in the shape of products such as for example tiles, propellers, boat hulls, statues, water slides, stairs, walls, decorative ornaments, and living spaces.