GCCM and Oz-Peel are combining their many years of experience with the latest marine technologies, to specialise in the treatment of Osmosis effected GRP vessels.

Employing a team of skilled and enthusiastic marine repair professionals, the Osmosis Centre will be able to provide progressive and advanced solutions to our clients osmosis repair problems.

To begin explaining this complex topic, we must first look at what our boats are made from.

The construction of fibreglass all starts with mixing chemicals. When these chemicals are combined they form a solid mass, this is called a chemical reaction. We can now apply this information to our boats. When building boats, we use a liquid resin to soak layers of fibreglass cloth into a mould, in any shape. Now we need to make this mixture go hard. Another liquid is then added called catalyst. This liquid starts a chemical reaction that turns the resin and cloth mix into a solid (hard).

Now, this is where the main problem with polyester construction occurs. Most of the mixed chemicals go hard (become solid), but around the edges of the solid remains a residue of these chemicals that couldn’t react as it was supposed to. This residue exists at all points that air is available to meet the surface of the solid. This is the case between the cloth layers where small pockets of air become trapped during construction. This residue is now susceptible to a new chemical reaction, where the trapped air holding an amount of moisture becomes a catalyst and this chemical reaction causes the residue to become acidic. Once this has occurred this new acidic liquid has the ability to expand beyond the confines of it original air pocket. This acidic liquid is extremely social and will expand by separating the cloth layers until it meets up with a neighbouring air pocket. The two now have more strength and can expand further to seek out other nearby air pockets. This expansion continues, depleting the structure of the fibreglass laminate if left untreated.

If osmosis breaks up the solid mass that is our boat and by its nature continues to gain strength and size, then our boats can’t be as strong as when they were made. Perhaps not so weak as to sink. Certainly in need of attention.
Safe boating!

Phil – Ozpeel Marine Specialist
Shed 40, Gold Coast City Marina
76-84 Waterway Drive
Coomera  QLD  4209
Ph (07)5580 5058  Mob 0459381029
www.ozpeel.com.au
Email admin@ozpeel.com.au