What is Chopped Strand Mat?
Chopped Strand Mat is a fiberglass sheet made from chopped glass strand with generally polyester resin. Its manufacturing process is that the chopped glass strand is cut in short and distributed evenly. Therefore, the strength of chopped strand mat is even in any direction (non-directivity).
It has excellent impregnation, defoaming, and mold-conformability. It is also used as a base material for FRP waterproof construction such as rooftops and floor enhancer. Applications include hand lay-up and waterproofing work.
Specs in general
Specifications vary depending on the manufacturer, but the typical ones are as follows.
It is mainly expressed in grams per 1 square meters. The width is generally around 1m and the maximum width is almost 2m due to the facility size.
| Weight (g/㎡) | Width(mm) | Coating | Hardness |
| 200/300/450/600 | 1000-1800 | Mainly silane | Soft – hard |
How to work with Chopped Strand Mats
1. Cutting and Shaping:
CSM can be easily cut to size using standard tools like scissors or utility knives. The material is flexible, allowing it to be molded into different shapes and contours for various applications.
2. Resin Application:
To create a strong bond between the mat and the resin, it’s important to thoroughly saturate the chopped strand mat with the appropriate resin. Polyester, vinyl ester, and epoxy resins are commonly used with CSM. The resin bonds with the fibers to create a solid, durable composite.
3. Curing and Hardening:
Once the resin is applied, the composite material must cure to harden. The curing process can vary depending on the type of resin used, and it’s important to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines to ensure proper curing.
4. Finishing:
After curing, the composite material may need additional finishing steps, such as sanding, polishing, or coating, to achieve the desired appearance and texture.
What is Hand-lay-up molding?
Hand-lay-up molding is the most common molding method to make FRP product. It is the molding method in which, firstly, mold=predetermined base material is formed in advance, and secondly resin is manually laminated with a brush or roller. Its advantage is that it is suitable for low-volume production, requires small equipment investment, and can mold complex products.
Disadvantages are the poor working environment, low fiber content due to non-pressure molding, and quality depends on the worker’s manual skill. Examples of applications are such as boats, ships, and corrosion-resistant equipment.
Where is chopped strand mat mainly manufactured?
China is the main manufacturing country for chopped strand mat in ASEAN. However, considering the total price and delivery time comprehensively, recent demand has been switching to Thai domestic products. Unstable exchange rate also seems to be the reason of this demand change.
It is used by not only Thai local companies but also foreign companies aiming “China Plus One”. Maeda Enterprise Thailand proposes chopped strand mats made in Thailand at a low price.
Choosing the right chopped strand mat for your application depends on factors such as the required strength, resin type, and the specific conditions your product will face. With its proven performance and wide range of uses, chopped strand mat continues to be an essential material in many industries.
Feel free to contact us for more information about Chopped Strand Mat in Thailand!
