School of Engineering & Materials Science Queen Mary University of London

Student visits to D&D GRP factory in South London

Students from the School of Engineering & Materials Science Queen Mary University of London investigating materials as part of their course work recently enjoyed a visit organised by tutor Senthi Pathmananthan to the Design & Display Structures factory in South London.

Appropriately dressed in protective clothing they were taken through the entire GRP production cycle, starting with the complexity of pattern work and mould making through to gel coat application giving an integral hard wearing colour and the different types of glass fibre employed. GRP is an abbreviation for glass reinforced plastics, also known as FRP (F = fibre).

During the factory tour examples of previous architectural projects, various works in progress and sample pieces demonstrating the wide variation of colour, texture and applied finishes were handled, prompting many questions from the interested visitors.

A GRP sculptured face was produced during the session by artificially accelerating the curing process enabling the students to take away some memorabilia to hang on the University wall.

Photo: Selma, Senthi, Jasmine, Zack, Shannon, Rahoz, Aparna, Theo, Eric and D&D production manager Colin Edwards

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D&D welcome visits by appointment from students, clients and construction professionals. To make arrangements please contact Allan Curtis on 07718 320184.