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In recent years, architects and developers are favouring tension structures for many large-span building constructions as an alternative to more traditional structures of steel, concrete and timber.
Since their development over 60 years ago, woven glass fibre fabrics have become indispensable throughout industry – mostly when used to reinforce materials such as polyester, epoxy and other resins.
Originally the synthetic polymer silicone – chemically inert and thermally stable – was produced for use as a sealant or bonding agent. However, the rapidly expanding market for fabric architecture prompted the increasing use of silicone for coating glass fibre fabrics.
Atex™ from P-D Interglas Technologies Ltd., http://www.interglas.co.uk, is the culmination of this hi-tech development with applications, such as lightweight membrane structures, that embrace a new contemporary freedom of form, lightness and ecological appeal.
P-D Interglas specialises in weaving, finishing, coating and laminating of fabrics made from glass fibre yarns and other higher performance fibres which are then used in the aerospace, architectural, composites, decorative, petrochemical, building industries and for other applications, such as passive fire protection.
The optimum deployment of these products requires a detailed analysis of tensile strength and the P-D Interglas mechanical testing laboratory, under the management of George Illing, carries out many different types of mechanical tests including tensile testing of high performance fabrics and composites laminates, flexural and interlaminar testing, and surface peel.
“The Zwick Z050 machine with its pneumatic jaws gives consistent and reliable results not previously achieved” explains George. “Recently, when we started to tensile test a new range of architectural fabrics which had a high strength substrate and high performance surface, we experienced premature failing of the product in the conventional grips. On advice from Zwick we purchased a new set of roller (capstan) grips and now achieve very consistent results which match our target theoretical values”.
Zwick was chosen as a supplier of testing equipment mainly because of the build quality of the testing machine. With a group history spanning over 150 years, products manufactured in Germany are synonymous with quality and customers know that they can totally rely on the test data. “We have a good relationship with Zwick and our history goes back many years. Service support is excellent and when our new test requirement emerged Zwick took away some samples of our materials, tested them and recommended the most suitable jaws. They were an immediate success”.
George is totally convinced that the new architectural products are being launched with good reliable data which can be repeated and demonstrated to their customers. We wish them success!
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