Ancient culture showcased in advanced materials

Fire resistance and durability key to futuristic structure

Constructed by local company E-Grow, the pavilion covers 500 sq meters and took three months to complete.

E-Grow opted to construct the complex exterior and interior curved and rounded sections of the contemporary design in fire-retardant GRP. The components were made by hand lay-up, using Scott Bader’s Crestapol 1212 resin and pigmented Crystic LS30PA ISO/NPG gelcoat. The materials were supplied by Scott Bader Asia Pacific from their Shanghai distribution operation, which serves China and other parts of Asia.

The pavilion interior is divided into two parts, with a GRP arch through which visitors pass. Exhibits include valuable antique artefacts, videos and artwork illustrating Egypt's long history and rich culture.

To ensure that the expo’s building fire regulations for all exterior and interior GRP parts were met, E-Grow specified the laminate construction in aluminium trihydrate (ATH) filled Crestapol 1212 urethane acrylate resin.

A key benefit claimed for Crestapol 1212 is that its mechanical properties enable lighter moulded parts with a thinner cross section to be produced; this helped to reduce the overall cost of the pavilion structure and its assembly.

Crystic LS30PA pigmented spray gelcoat was selected as it is ultraviolet stabilised, and designed for prolonged exterior use in demanding building and marine applications. The gelcoat should maintain its gloss and colour for the six month duration of the expo.

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