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Filament Winding

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Filament winding is similar to pultrusion. A glass strand is drawn through a catalyzed resin bath. After the strand is saturated with resin, it is wound on a mandrel. The mandrel is turned and the glass wraps around the mandrel. The mandrel determines the shape of the final product. Poles for fishing and golf cubs are made by winding glass or carbon fiber strands onto steel rods. Large service station gasoline storage tanks are produced by winding glass strands around large rubber inflatable bags. Once the resin has cured to a rigid form, the rubber bag is deflated and removed. Glass tape is often used rather than glass filament. The tape is wound around a cone-shaped mandrel. Once the resins cures, the hardened part is removed and used as exhaust cones on the space shuttle and launch vehicles. For a badly drawn illustration of this, click here.