Non-Woven Polyester Veil – Improve Surface Finish and Performance in Composite Manufacturing
When manufacturing high-quality composite components, the choice of reinforcement is only part of the equation. Non-woven polyester veil plays an important role in improving surface finish, reducing fibre print-through and enhancing the overall appearance and durability of composite parts.
At Chemical Release Company (CRC), we supply high-quality non-woven polyester veils for a wide range of composite manufacturing processes, alongside our extensive range of release agents, mould sealers, cleaners and process additives.
What is a Non-Woven Polyester Veil?
A non-woven polyester veil, sometimes referred to as a polyester surface veil or composite veil, is a lightweight engineered material made from randomly orientated polyester fibres bonded together to create a uniform sheet. Unlike woven fabrics, the fibres are not interlaced, allowing the veil to conform easily to complex mould shapes while providing a smooth, consistent surface.
Polyester veils are widely used throughout the composites industry where both cosmetic appearance and long-term performance are important.
Benefits of Non-Woven Polyester Veil
Superior Surface Finish
One of the biggest advantages of using a non-woven polyester veil is the improved surface finish it provides. The veil creates a smooth resin-rich surface that helps hide the texture of the underlying reinforcement, producing parts that require less finishing and polishing.
Reduced Fibre Print-Through
During curing, resin shrinkage can cause reinforcement fibres to become visible on the finished part. Polyester surface veils minimise fibre print-through, helping manufacturers achieve a cleaner, more consistent appearance.
Improved Resin Flow
The open fibre structure allows resin to flow evenly through the veil, promoting excellent wet-out and reducing the risk of dry areas or uneven resin distribution.
Increased Surface Durability
Adding a polyester veil can improve resistance to abrasion, weathering and minor surface cracking, helping extend the service life of composite components.
Excellent Conformability
Because of its random fibre orientation, non-woven polyester veil easily conforms around corners, radii and complex mould geometries without wrinkling.
Applications of Polyester Veil
Non-woven polyester veil is used in many composite industries, including:
- Wind turbine blades
- Marine and boat building
- Automotive composite components
- Construction and architectural panels
- Filament winding
- Pultruded profiles
- Pipes and tanks
- Transportation
- Industrial GRP products
Manufacturing Processes
Polyester veil is compatible with many composite manufacturing methods, including:
- Hand lay-up
- Spray-up
- Resin Transfer Moulding (RTM)
- Vacuum Infusion
- Pultrusion
- Filament Winding
- Compression Moulding
Using the correct mould release agent is equally important to achieving a high-quality finish and consistent production.
Compatible Resin Systems
Non-woven polyester veil performs well with a variety of resin systems, including:
- Polyester resin
- Vinyl ester resin
- Epoxy resin
- Phenolic resin
- Selected polyurethane resin systems
Selecting the correct combination of polyester veil, release agent and mould sealer helps maximise productivity while reducing mould contamination and cleaning time.
Choosing the Right Polyester Veil
When selecting a non-woven polyester veil, consider:
- Veil weight (gsm)
- Resin compatibility
- Manufacturing process
- Surface finish requirements
- Mechanical performance
- Environmental exposure
Choosing the correct veil can improve laminate quality, reduce finishing operations and deliver more consistent production.
Why Choose Chemical Release Company?
With more than 35 years of experience supporting the composites industry, Chemical Release Company supplies premium non-woven polyester veils, release agents, mould sealers, cleaners and process additives to manufacturers throughout the UK and Ireland.
As the UK distributor for Marbocote release agents and Würtz additives, we provide technical advice, product recommendations and on-site support to help customers improve mould release, reduce build-up and increase manufacturing efficiency.
Whether you're producing components by RTM, vacuum infusion, pultrusion, filament winding or hand lay-up, our team can recommend the right products for your process.
If you're looking to improve surface finish, reduce fibre print-through or select the right non-woven polyester veil for your application, contact Chemical Release Company today. Our technical specialists can recommend the most suitable veil, release agent and process solutions to help optimise your composite manufacturing process.
