Materials of Construction - FRP - Nexus® Veil
December 18, 2001

Introduction Characteristics Chemical Resistance

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Introduction

Nexus® surfacing fabrics are non-woven formed fabrics produced from Dacron 106 homopolymer (polyester).  These fabrics are formed by a unique patented process of fibre entanglement that employs no binders.The relatively high fibre elongation of Nexus® fabrics makes them particularly compatible with corrosion resistant laminating resins.

Nexus® surfacing fabrics can be used to advantage as the primary reinforcement for the resin-rich inner surface of filament wound pipe and tank, as well as for contact molded FRP structures.  These fabrics are also recommended for both interior and exterior surfaces of protruded product for excellent impact, corrosion, weather and UV-resistance.

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Characteristics

Nexus® polyester fibre surfacing fabrics are formed by a unique binder-free process of hydraulic fibre entanglement that results in a web with both vertical and horizontal fibre orientation.  This ability to orient fibre vertically as well as horizontally improves the interlaminar bond strength of surface layers reinforced with Nexus®.

The polyester fibre employed in Nexus® fabric is 1.5 denier Dacron type 106 homopolymer staple.  Fibre elongation at break is 25%.  Type 106 staple contains small amounts of titanium dioxide and an optical brightner to improve fabric "whiteness".  Neither additive adversely effects corrosion resistance.

Nexus® surfacing fabrics conform readily to contoured surfaces and are quickly wet by polyester, vinyl ester and epoxy laminating resins.  The dry and wet tensile strength of these fabrics is superior to both "C" glass mat and commonly used adhesive bonded polyester and modacrylic fiber surfacing veils.

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Chemical Resistance

Nexus® surfacing fabrics have:

• Excellent resistance to oxidizing agents and are not degraded by bleaching treatments ordinarily used for textiles.
• Good resistance to aqueous solution of most weak acids at the boil and to aqueous solution of strong acids at room temperature, but are disintegrated by concentrated (96%) sulphuric acid at room temperature
• Good resistance to aqueous solutions of strong alkalies at room temperature but are degraded by aqueous solutions of strong alkalies at the boil.

In general, Dacron homopolymer fibre classes are more chemical resistant than copolymer classes. 

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