FRP cuts weight of ferry’s water inlets
Canadian Plastics
Four fibre-reinforced plastic sets of water jet inlet fairings for a new high-speed ferry have achieved a 40 percent weight reduction over the originally proposed aluminum block fairings. Manufactured...
Four fibre-reinforced plastic sets of water jet inlet fairings for a new high-speed ferry have achieved a 40 percent weight reduction over the originally proposed aluminum block fairings. Manufactured by Chemposite Inc. (Delta, B.C.) in only eight weeks, the fairings each measure 1.5 m x 5 m.
The catamaran-style ferry began water tests last fall.
Chemposite’s Sarah Lam says the project was a challenge, with the fast turnaround coupled with the need to laminate the fibreglass parts to the aluminum body of the ferry. The fairings were produced by hand lay-up using Dow Chemical’s DERAKANE epoxy vinyl ester resins.
Dow presented Chemposite with a Fabricator Excellence Award for the project.
Dow Chemical Canada Inc.
800/441-4369