| abstract |
A method of making a glass-fibre reinforced article consists of impregnating the fibres, e.g. in unsaturated polyester, and continuously applying them, in one or more layers, onto a support; the final hardening stage for each strand is individually initiated by local ultra-violet irradiation as soon as it is applied, and is not completed until all strands have been applied. Preferably, the local UV irradiation is at the application point, and additives to the plastics ensure that the transformation from the gel phase to the hardened phase takes place at completion of the application of all strands. The total hardening time is reduced. In multilayer application, any cracks in lower layers are filled by unhardened material as the upper layers are applied. No separate treatment plant for hardening is necessary. |