Fiberglass snow plows [Archive] - Honda Ridgeline Owners Club Forums

Pug

02-17-2007, 09:16 AM

Whats Lexan? and any pics
"Lexan" is General Electric's brand name for polycarbonate (PC) - a clear (in it's "natural state") thermoplastic resin that can be heated/molded into a wide variety of products. Polycarbonate sheets are available for glazing (windows) and sunglass/safety lenses are made of PC because of the high impact properties inherent in the resin.
I've used injection and blowmolding grade PC's to make parts for electronics industries, for medical devices, containers, and just about anything you can think of that requires a part designed to be structurally and chemically tough.

Heck! I've even made snow-shovel blades from the stuff! (in a "sampling" scenario).
I've been using one of the discolored "rejects" from that sample run for over twenty years! :eek: Had to replace the wooden handle once, but the Lexan "scoop" is as tough as the day I first used it.
The plastic snow-shovels you usually see have polypropylene blades that are much lighter and more flexible than PC. More "cost-effective" to produce, as well.

There are various "fillers" that can be added to the resin to increase certain properties, too. Glassfiber-filled PC's, in my opinion, are some of the toughest materials known, that can be easily molded into any shape.

A fiberglas plow? Seems plausible, but it would probably need reinforcement of some kind to give it added rigidity. And it would require some type of filler to allow it to remain a bit flexible at the low temps encountered while using it.

Personally, I'd stick with the metal plow. Other than the reduction in weight, what advantages would you expect from a plastic plow?


Honda Ridgeline Owners Club Forums > Honda Ridgeline Accessories, Care and Mods > Accessories > Fiberglass snow plows PDA Fiberglass snow plows VRidgeline 02-16-2007, 07:36 PM Has anyone heard or have such a thing, if so please give me give feedback. qlake 02-16-2007, 08:24 PM I have not heard of fiberglass but I have used a lexan plow and liked it. VRidgeline 02-17-2007, 08:15 AM I have not heard of fiberglass but I have used a lexan plow and liked it. Whats Lexan? and any pics oldcoastie 02-17-2007, 08:52 AM A neighbor uses a lexan, and it's just as heavy as the steel plow. Pug 02-17-2007, 09:16 AM Whats Lexan? and any pics "Lexan" is General Electric's brand name for polycarbonate (PC) - a clear (in it's "natural state") thermoplastic resin that can be heated/molded into a wide variety of products. Polycarbonate sheets are available for glazing (windows) and sunglass/safety lenses are made of PC because of the high impact properties inherent in the resin. I've used injection and blowmolding grade PC's to make parts for electronics industries, for medical devices, containers, and just about anything you can think of that requires a part designed to be structurally and chemically tough. Heck! I've even made snow-shovel blades from the stuff! (in a "sampling" scenario). I've been using one of the discolored "rejects" from that sample run for over twenty years! :eek: Had to replace the wooden handle once, but the Lexan "scoop" is as tough as the day I first used it. The plastic snow-shovels you usually see have polypropylene blades that are much lighter and more flexible than PC. More "cost-effective" to produce, as well. There are various "fillers" that can be added to the resin to increase certain properties, too. Glassfiber-filled PC's, in my opinion, are some of the toughest materials known, that can be easily molded into any shape. A fiberglas plow? Seems plausible, but it would probably need reinforcement of some kind to give it added rigidity. And it would require some type of filler to allow it to remain a bit flexible at the low temps encountered while using it. Personally, I'd stick with the metal plow. Other than the reduction in weight, what advantages would you expect from a plastic plow?