Ilium Composites, the Bahrain-headquartered manufacturer of fibreglass structural composite reinforcements, has developed the Amplify industrial grade polyester surface veil which offers improved surface finish and increased chemical and corrosion resistance.

The thermobonded veil will be offered in 30 and 60gsm formats, and in full rolls up to 2540mm wide, for use as a stand alone product or mechanically bonded for integration with Ilium’s extensive range of composite reinforcements for open and closed mould and pultrusion processes.

After successful tests at onshore fish farms and in boatbuilding applications, the Amplify surface veil is available now with a range of uses and benefits aimed at maritime and other relevant industries.

It works to create an aesthetic finish to boat hulls and surfaces by reducing the appearance of glass fibres on the gelcoat, making it ideal for Class A skin coat and automotive applications.

It can be mechanically fixed to current Ilium products without chemicals or stitching, improving surface finish, and is compatible  with a broad selection of resins, with its open structure allowing ease of flow.

In wet applications, gelcoats are at risk of water penetration, where exposure can result in large or multiple micro blisters as the coating delaminates from the main composite laminate. The Amplify  veil provides a strong resistance to blistering and moisture ingress thanks to the resin rich layer and strong fibre bond against the gelcoat. In addition, its provides corrosion protection to pultruded composite parts such as ladders and hand railings used in harsh-chemical environments.

Amplify is said to cuts costs by 50% when compared to current market-leading PES surface veils, while achieving greater improvement in fibre print, osmosis, and chemical protection.

“Our unique manufacturing capability and mechanical binding system has proven to offer benefits and features not available elsewhere on the market,” said Ilium Business Development Manager Colin Leatham-Locke. “These features are standard in all Ilium reinforcements and help customers to remove costly secondary processes and save time while producing higher quality parts.”

Ilium’s Amplify surface veil will be on display at JEC World in Paris, from May 3-5 2022, in Hall 5, stand M79.

www.iliumcomposites.com