Why is epoxy resin fiberglass considered the best choice for anti-corrosion and waterproofing materials in water tanks

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Due to factors such as high water pressure, prolonged exposure to water, susceptibility to mold and bacteria growth, and structural corrosion, the selection of anti-corrosion and waterproof materials for water storage containers like fire ponds poses a challenge for designers and builders. Because many commonly used waterproofing materials do not achieve the desired results in pools, leading to leaks, repairs, more leaks, and further repairs – this results in a waste of much labor, resources, money, and effort, as well as a significant loss of valuable water resources. The subsequent problems resulting from improper selection of materials for pool waterproofing also cause great headaches for property managers; these include a short lifespan of the waterproof layer, corrosion of the pool structure, and the growth of mold and bacteria that lead to unpleasant odors that are difficult to eliminate. So, is there a material that can withstand high water pressure, resist long-term immersion in water, and at the same time be resistant to corrosion and mold? The answer is yes – it is the epoxy resin fiberglass waterproof lining, also known simply as fiberglass waterproof lining or epoxy resin waterproof lining. What is an epoxy resin fiberglass waterproof lining? First, let’s understand what fiberglass is. The scientific name for fiberglass is Fiberglass Reinforced Plastics (FRP for short). It is a composite material that uses glass fibers and their products (such as glass fiber cloth, tape, mat, yarn, etc.) as reinforcing materials, and synthetic resin as the matrix material. Depending on the matrix resin material used, it can be divided into epoxy resin FRP, unsaturated polyester resin FRP, phenolic resin FRP, furan resin FRP, vinyl ester resin FRP, and so on. The epoxy resin fiberglass anti-corrosion and waterproof lining is a material used for anti-corrosion and waterproofing, made by combining epoxy resin with glass fiber cloth and applying it to the inner wall of tanks. Various resin-based fiberglass composites possess different physicochemical properties, which gives them various applications: some are resistant to acids, some to alkalis, some to water, some to high temperatures, some to low temperatures, and some are resistant to ultraviolet rays, among others. The most widely used among them is unsaturated polyester resin (with common grades such as 191, 196, etc.). It is inexpensive and cures quickly, making it suitable for manufacturing various ordinary fiberglass products such as trash bins, seats, sculptures, sheets, tiles, cooling tower casings, fan casings, and more. Its disadvantages include poor adhesion, high curing shrinkage (6–10%), and high water permeability, among others; therefore, it is not suitable as a waterproof material for fiberglass-reinforced plastics. Due to its high toxicity, it is especially unsuitable for use in enclosed tanks. Epoxy resin, on the other hand, has properties that precisely compensate for the shortcomings of unsaturated polyester resin. It features strong adhesion, low curing shrinkage (≤2%), low water permeability, mold resistance, and is non-toxic and hygienic; making it the ideal anti-corrosion and waterproof material for use in demanding conditions such as pools subjected to high water pressure and prolonged immersion. (The above points are supported by professional discussions; see attachments.) The \"disadvantages\" of epoxy resin that prevent it from being considered ideal are its high cost (3–5 times that of unsaturated polyester resin) and the longer time required for curing (unsatured polyester resin can typically cure within half an hour, whereas epoxy resin requires more than 24 hours). It is these two \"drawbacks\" that result in higher material and labor costs for the waterproofing application of epoxy resin fiberglass compared to unsaturated polyester resin fiberglass. However, its waterproofing performance is far inferior to that of unsaturated polyester resin fiberglass. Due to its poor adhesion, unsaturated polyester resin cannot bond well to concrete substrates; moreover, its high volume shrinkage during curing causes it to separate from the concrete base. Coupled with its high water permeability and lack of mold resistance, it is even less suitable as an anti-corrosion and waterproof material for pools. Even if there are no problems at first, it will eventually peel off and cause leaks within one or two years, with some cases showing issues already after just one or two months. The service life of epoxy resin fiberglass-reinforced plastic for anti-corrosion and waterproofing is generally 20–30 years or more.