MASH TL-4 STAINLESS STEEL REINFORCED FRP LIFE RAIL SYSTEM


AIMS MASH TL-4 Stainless Steel Reinforced Fiberglas Reinforced Polymer Life Rail System offers excellent unidirectional strength, corrosion resistance, and electrically non-conductive. This product has been developed to meet and surpass specific requirements set by MASH Standards and is particularly suited for highly corrosive environments (such as bridges over water). It offers extended life and eliminates periodic maintenance and replacement costs making it the preferred alternative to conventional steel railing.

Car Crashing Into Stainless Steel Reinforced FRP Life Rail System during MASH TL - 4 testing top view
Car Crashing Into Stainless Steel Reinforced FRP Life Rail System during MASH TL - 4 testing
AIMS MASH TL-4 Stainless Steel Reinforced FRP Life Rail System at junction point
AIMS MASH TL-4 Stainless Steel Reinforced FRP Life Rail System
Car Crashing Into Stainless Steel Reinforced FRP Life Rail System Top View
Car Crashing Into Stainless Steel Reinforced FRP Life Rail System
LifeRail Junction Mash TL-4 Test Junction
MASH TL-4 STAINLESS STEEL REINFORCED FRP LIFE RAIL SYSTEM
Car Crashing Into Stainless Steel Reinforced FRP Life Rail System Top View
Car Crashing Into Stainless Steel Reinforced FRP Life Rail System
LifeRail Junction Mash TL-4 Test Junction
MASH TL-4 STAINLESS STEEL REINFORCED FRP LIFE RAIL SYSTEM
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TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS


PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

AIMS MASH TL-4 Stainless Steel Reinforced Fiberglass Reinforced Polymer (FRP) Life Rail System is a proprietary system that is a strong durable rail which is non-corrosive, non-conductive, and lasts longer than its steel counterparts. It is the first MASH TL-4 certified retrofit bridge rail system of its kind. AIMS Railing is perfect for bridges as it is more flexible than normal steel which helps the Life Rail lessen the impact of accidents and potentially save lives. AIMS stands behind it's products; in over 35 years working with companies such as Chevron, Shell, BP, Hess, Marathon and more, AIMS has never had a warranty claim or any failure of our products. Stainless Steel Reinforced Polymer is designed to be durable, strong, and survive in harsh environments where it will outlast normal steel.

• MASH TL-4 crash test approved
• 100% electrically non-conductive
• 100% corrosion resistant
• Material color throughout the product
• Can be manufactured in any color
• Does not spark when impacted by steel
• 3 x the lifespan of galvanized steel
• UV stable
• 316L or galvanized steel posts
• Better energy absorption performance over steel
• Weight of AIMS Rail System is over 2/3 lighter than complete steel
• Higher return on investment than steel

MASH TEST RESULTS

Summary of MASH Test Results results

Summary of MASH Test Results results

Summary of MASH Test Results results

PULTRUSION PROCESS - WITH STAINLESS STEEL

Pultrusion Process with Stainless Steel Diagram illustration

Pultrusion is made from the words “pull” and “extrusion” as it involves pulling the composite material from a die. Fiber Reinforced Plastic (FRP) pultrusions are used in many different applications throughout many different industries. The pultrusion process allows AIMS Composites to produce continuous lengths of fiber reinforced polymer profiled shapes. Pultrusion material holds a lot of value over other types of materials that you may be considering for your next construction project or application.

PULTRUSION MATERIAL ADVANTAGES
  • It is fire-retardant
  • It is non-conductive
  • It is corrosion resistant
  • It is stronger, more durable and lightweight
  • It is cost-effective
  • High Strength
  • Electromagnetic Transparency
  • High Stability
  • Lightweight

Pultruded products have been used in many structures from the Bellagio Fountains in Las Vegas to pedestrian bridges in the heart of New York City, materials formed through pultrusion can be found across the country and the world. Pultruded composite profiles have seen an increase in demand in recent years due to their high durability and non-corrosive character. Before pultrusion at inspection sites, each employee, contractor, and sub-contractors, and TIP shall be adhering to safety procedures and will be monitored.

FIBERGLASS REINFORCEMENT

The starting base of the pultrusion is the material (filament or fabric) fed into the machinery to begin.

PREFORMING GUIDES

The material spools and reinforcements are threaded into a machine known as the tension roller. This roller shapes the pultrusions towards the finished product.

IMPREGNATION

The glass is met with resin which will soak and permeate the unfinished product. This is known as the impregnating stage and may utilize different types of resin. This step is important because it protects the final product from corrosion, UV rays and impact.

HEAT

With the resin base attached, the product enters a hot, steel-forming die. This hot die is pivotal to the pultrusion process as it creates the hard shape of the material.

CUTTING

The product is now cut into appropriate lengths and shapes. The finished product is a fiberglass reinforced polymer.

PRE-PROCESS
  • We configure the arrangement of roving, mat, and veil to enter the die efficiently.
  • We arrange the roving into the general shape of the rail to properly enter the die during the pultrusion.
  • We run a quick check on the pultrusion pulling system to ensure it is functioning in operating condition.
  • All storage should be at room temperature and should be below 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Resin should be warmed to at least 65 degrees Fahrenheit prior to use in order to assure proper curing and handling.
  • The temperature of the die must reach the set temperature of 270 degrees and then the pultrusion process may begin.
PROCESS

 Pultrusion Process with Stainless Steel Diagram Process Illustration

8.1 - Arrange the single end roving in the glass feed racks based on the matrix configuration called out in AIMS Technical Specification.

8.2 - Configure the roving to allow the ends to enter into the first carding plate.

8.3 - The following carding plates will consolidate the roving into thicker ends which will form the shape of the rail cross-section.

8.4 - Glass mat placed on the pylons are configured to allow the fabric to enter the impregnator on the outside of the cross section and around the rectangular floating mandrel and stainless steel tube. The stainless steel tube will act like a floating mandrel as it is being inserted during the pultrusion process.

8.5 - The rectangular floating mandrel allows the rail cross section to have the proper void area to fit the FRP splices.

8.6 - Synthetic veil is also placed on pylons and enters the impregnator as the outermost layer and it is only used on the outer perimeter of the shape.

8.7 - The glass roving, mat, and synthetic veil is then impregnated with the resin mix which is pumped into the impregnator with a pressure between 80 psi (± 10 psi).

8.8 - Some companies may recycle the excess resin that is pumped into the impregnator, if so; ensure that the excess resin is filtered for debris before being reused.

8.9 - The glass, veil, and resin continue to move through the die which is heated to a temperature of 270°F (± 10°F) to allow the resin to cure.

8.10 - Pullers provide the required rate of pull based on the volume of the shape. The pullers will need to be adjusted to ensure the resin is cured before it leaves the die. The pull rate for the rail is 6” per minute
(± 1” per minute). Adjustments to the pull rate can be made to maintain product quality.

8.11 - As the shape comes out of the die, it is now cured and it continues down the length of the pultrusion machine until it reaches 56’-0” (± 1/8”) at the cut-off saw.

DOWNLOADS


GENERAL BROCHURE:

DOWNLOAD PDF

LIFE RAIL SYSTEM:

DOWNLOAD PDF
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DOWNLOADS


GENERAL BROCHURE:

DOWNLOAD PDF

LIFE RAIL SYSTEM:

DOWNLOAD PDF


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