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Fiberglass Tanks
Fiberglass is often utilized as a replacement for steel. It's reduced weight and corrosion resistance offers a cost-effective means for vessel fabrication. To satisfy customer needs, Palmer Manufacturing offers a wide selection of resins, optional lining reinforcements and three different manufacturing processes. Palmer's fiberglass plant works closely with both its resin and reinforcement suppliers to maintain quality products and state-of-the-art manufacturing procedures. As a result, Palmer was the first company in the United States to use Parabeam (a three dimensional woven glass fabric) in vessel fabrication.
RESIN SELECTION

Palmer Manufacturing maintains on site storage of various resins to facilitate a variety of chemical environments. Specialty resins are also available as required. Palmer's works closely with the resin suppliers to verify chemical compatibility. Some of the considerations in selecting the appropriate resin are as follows:

  • Chemical to be stored
  • Concentration
  • pH Levels
  • Operating Temperature
On Site Resins
  • Ashland - Hetron 922 Vinyl Ester
  • Aropol 7142 - Isophthalic Polyester
  • Ashland - Ortho
Other Resins Available:
  • Ashland - Hetron 970 & 980
  • Ashland - Hetron 197, FR992 Vinyl Ester
  • Dow - Derakane 411, 440, 470, 510
  • Reichold - Dion 9100, 9200
  • Reichold - Atlac 382, 580, 4010A
HAND LAY UP (contact molding) (ASTM 4097)

Hand lay-up requires a manual application of both the glass reinforcement and resin. This fabrication procedure is utilized primarily for low to medium volume applications. The process requires that the resin be applied to the fiberglass reinforcement by pouring, brushing and/or spraying. The use of thermo-set resin allows for the product to cure out at room temperature.

CHOP SPRAY (contact molding) (ASTM 4097)

Chop Spray-up is a process where continuous strands of fiberglass are fed into a chopper gun, chopped into strands approximately one to two inches long and sprayed onto a mold. Resin is applied along with the chopped strands as part of the spray process. Hand rolling is utilized to improve resin consistency and remove trapped air. As with the hand lay-up, the use of thermo-set resin allows for curing at room temperature.
FILAMENT WINDING (ASTM 3299)

The third process, filament winding, requires the wrapping of multiple, continuous strands of fiberglass onto a rotating mandrel. Resin is applied by either spraying or pulling the fiber strands through a resin bath. Special winding machines position the strands in a predetermined pattern to increase strength along the stressed axis. Typically atmospheric vessels are wound at an angle approximating 90 degrees to the vessel axis, also called hoop winding. The filament winding process is commonly combined with the chop spray process, providing monolithic vessel walls with superior strength and improved liquid retention.
PARABEAM

Parabeam is a three dimensional woven glass fabric, which after resin impregnation yields a sandwich type laminate. This 3D design provides a lightweight laminate with excellent strength and stiffness characteristics. The parabeam fabric is utilized within various wall structures to increase strength and stiffness and/or provide an intersticial space for double wall vessels. The 3D fabric is used in conjunction with other reinforcement materials (c-veil, nexus, mat, woven roving, etc.) to provide the desired physical and chemical properties. The open core between the two laminate faces provides the necessary intersticial space required for leak detection.