Method of making a composite with a barrier layer in a closed mold process

Abstract

A closed mold method of making a composite having a barrier layer. The method includes providing a mold; applying and curing a layer of gel coat on an inside surface of the mold; applying and curing a layer of barrier composition over the gel coat, the barrier composition comprising: about 10 to about 50 wt % vinyl ester resin, about 15 to about 60 wt % polyester resin, 0 to about 30 wt % monomer, about 1 to about 15 m wt % thickening agent, about 0.1 to about 5 wt % accelerators, about 1 to about 25 wt % filler, and a catalyst; applying a layer of fiberglass reinforcement over the barrier composition; applying resin to the fiberglass reinforcement; closing the mold; curing the resin; and opening the mold and removing the composite, wherein the composite has an improved surface finish compared to a composite without the barrier composition made with a closed mold process. The invention also relates to the composite made by the method.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.