Fiberglass Chopped Strand Matting - What is it and Who uses IT?

Update:27 Jul

Abstract: Fiberglass strands are used mainly to build toughness and strength and are most commonly layered between fiberglass material. It is generally compati

Fiberglass strands are used mainly to build toughness and strength and are most commonly layered between fiberglass material. It is generally compatible with almost all vinyl and polyester resins. It is NOT compatible with acrylic resin. Fiberglass Chopped Strand Matting is available by standard or multiple lineal yards. The standard yards are about 50 feet wide, the multiple lineal yards are about a thousand feet wide. You will find this product at most large scale builders as well as at many construction companies that specialize in concrete or pavement construction.

Chopped Strand Matting has been in use for a number of years, especially with concrete and steel project where structural integrity is critical. The product itself was originally developed for roadbed repairs where repair jobs would be performed while the roadway is being fixed up. In this way, damage to the repaired portion of the roadway could not be distributed to adjacent areas of the roadway. The product is made up of individual strands that are connected together by a thin strand of fiberglass. There are a few advantages of using fiberglass chopped strands, the first of these advantages is that the product is flexible and can be cut to any precise size, this makes it easy to repair damaged sections of roadway and it is relatively inexpensive when compared to other methods of repair.

The second advantage of using fiberglass matting is that it provides additional reinforcement to the structure. When a concrete pavement or curb is damaged by storms or other inclement weather, the strands are sometimes unable to withstand the weight and damage the asphalt. With fiberglass matting the asphalt can be reinforced, the strands can be replaced easily and the repaired area will look like new. If you have an existing pavement that has been damaged by storms in the past, you may want to consider installing an individual fiberglass chopped strand mat as a temporary repair to keep your existing pavement from being damaged further.

The following paragraphs will describe some of the different types of fiberglass chopped strand mats. The first type of structure is the precast concrete structure; these are also known as the fiberglass oriented strand system. These are typically made from a single continuous sheet of fiberglass. The precast system is the lowest priced method of repairing damaged asphalt because the product is made in bulk and is therefore less expensive than the individual strands of the product.

The second type of Fiberglass Chopped Strand Matting is the woven csm; this system is more expensive than the previous type. The woven case is made with several pieces of fiberglass and a high-density rubber base. The woven csm is then installed with several inch thick rubber bricks that form the bottom surface of the mats. This rubber backing creates an impermeable barrier to prevent any seepage of rainwater into the pavement underneath the mat. If you are looking for an environmentally friendly product, the woven csm is the right choice.

Finally, the last type of Fiberglass Chopped Strand Matting is the fiberglass coated concrete system; these mats are made from several layers of fiberglass resin and a clear coating over the top layer of resin. Unlike the above mentioned product, this type of system offers a greater degree of resistance to abrasion, moisture, and wind. Most suppliers offer both flat weave and weaved as strands. There is also a wide array of colors available to choose from.