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jnwells · Mar 31, 2009, 11:15 PM

Are there any green environmentally friendly alternatives to fiberglass? Is there anything that comes close to the performance of fiberglass but is not so smelly? My neighbors complain about the smell.
jnwells

Clough · Apr 4, 2009, 05:44 PM

Hi, jnwells!

What is it for that you're using the fiberglass, please? It would be helpful to know that.

Thanks!

jnwells · Apr 5, 2009, 03:06 AM

Sculptures, airplane parts, car... dragsters... Also I am using it for a 24" parabolic reflector searchlight. It worked well... just the smell.

FlyYakker · Apr 6, 2009, 08:57 AM

It is likely not the fiberglass itself but the polymer matrix that you use to give it rigidity that has an odor. I have no clue but it might be if you look through Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for the various polymers (and I don't know how many usable candidates there are) you might find a polymer with less odor. Just a thought. But I suspect the nature of the beast of using fiberglass or any form of aramids will result in an odor.

jnwells · Apr 7, 2009, 12:36 AM

Originally Posted by FlyYakker

It is likely not the fiberglass itself but the polymer matrix that you use to give it rigidity that has an odor. I have no clue but it might be if you look through Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for the various polymers (and I don't know how many usable candidates there are) you might find a polymer with less odor. Just a thought. But I suspect the nature of the beast of using fiberglass or any form of aramids will result in an odor.

I may try some sort of odor capture... or just try using old fashioned materials... unfortunately they're just not usually strong enough... Keep me posted.:cool:

tandemsforus · Jul 13, 2009, 07:43 PM

Are you using a resin that kicks with MEKP? That does have an order all to its own. Try using a two part epoxy. Try "West Systems" (company name), you should find an epoxy there that has less odor and is stronger than risen/mekp mix. But of course more expensive.

jnwells · Jul 18, 2009, 12:32 PM

Originally Posted by tandemsforus

Are you using a resin that kicks with MEKP? That does have an order all to its own. Try using a two part epoxy. Try "West Systems" (company name), you should find an epoxy there that has less odor and is stronger than risen/mekp mix. But of course more expensive.

Thanks for the suggestion. I'll try this when I have to make the next 'reflector shell'.:cool: