Mechanical Processing
The processing of GRP Profiles is easy and is similar to that of woodworking. GRP can be drilled, milled, sawn, twisted and punched.
For drilling holes up to 12 mm in diameter, a simple hard metal drilling bit in accordance with DIN 8037 or DIN 8038 can be used. For holes larger than 12 mm in diameter, a diamond-studded drill should be used. A wooden support beneath the drill hole prevents fraying of the Profiles or Gratings.
Drilling speed: 60-80m/min
Diamond-studded drill: 300 to 1200 m/min
Carbide- and diamond drills are good for milling GRP-Profiles, whereas carbide drills reach a higher heading speed. The usage of coolants is recommended as GRP-Profiles are bad conductors of heat.
Cutting speed: 100 to 400 m/min
For small amounts a metal saw is adequate. If you want to saw a bigger amount we recommend a diamond-studded saw blade. The diameter of the blades depend on the wall thickness 200 to 500mm. The usage of coolants is also recommended.
Cutting speed: 1800 to 3600 m/min.
Standard equipment is adequate for small amounts, same as in metal processing. With big abouts one should use carbide equipment as used in brass- or aluminium processing. Water cooling is recommended.
Cutting speed: same as with brass or aluminium.
For stamping we recommend the usage of tempered steel tools. The material thickness should not be more than 10mm.
Max. material thickness for punching: = 10mm
Only tap if the compound is not encountering high tensile loads. It only passes one third of chunking resistance of metallic threads but has an adequate resistance when in accurate fit with adhesives.
Pipe and acme screw threads allow a better force transmission than metric threads.
GRP-Profiles are easy to glue with adhesives on polyurethane- and epoxy resin basis.
1. Abrade surface
2. Remove dust
3. Degrease with solvent
4. When using adhesives please follow instructions given by the producer.
When riveting the bore should be slightly bigger than the rivet’s diameter. The usage of adhesives for a better compound strength is recommended.
The usage of adhesives improves the compound strength.
For light-loaded compounds self-tapping screws are adequate. For heavy loaded compounds machine screws are required.
Surfaces which should be varnished should first be cleaned with a solvent. As varnish we recommend a system on polyurethane basis.
Best varnishing results are reached by using 2-pack paint.