Fiberglass profiles, also called GRP profiles or FRP profiles, are made through a process called pultrusion and consist of two main components: glass fiber reinforcements and a resin matrix. These materials have excellent mechanical, chemical, and thermal properties.
Category: Embedded Materials
Description
Main Features of Fiberglass Profiles
- Lightweight and high strength: Fiberglass profiles weigh only about 1/4 of steel, but have similar strength to steel. This allows them to greatly reduce the weight of the structure when they need to bear a large load.
- Corrosion resistance: Fiberglass profiles have excellent corrosion resistance and can resist the erosion of various chemicals such as acids, alkalis, and salts. Therefore, it is particularly suitable for humid and corrosive environments.
- Weather resistance: Fiberglass profiles have good aging resistance in natural environments such as strong ultraviolet rays, and can maintain the stability of their performance and appearance for a long time.
Production Process
Types of Fiberglass Profiles
- I-Beams: Used for structural support in construction, similar to steel I-beams.
- Channels: Commonly used for framing, supports, and construction elements.
- Angles: Used for corner reinforcements and structural applications.
- Tubes and Pipes: Ideal for fluid transport or as structural supports.
- Rod and Flat Bar: For various structural and mechanical uses.
Resin Types
Resin Type
|
Properties
|
Polyester Resin
|
Affordable.
Good mechanical properties. Low corrosion resistance. |
Vinyl Ester Resin
|
Higher corrosion resistance than
polyester. Higher temperature resistance. Tough. |
Epoxy Resin
|
Excellent strength and adhesion.
Superior moisture resistance. Low shrinkage. |
Phenolic Resin
|
High heat resistance.
Fire-retardant. Low smoke and toxicity. |
Polyurethane
Resin |
High impact resistance.
Excellent durability. Good chemical and abrasion resistance. |
Acrylic Resin
|
UV-resistant.
Good clarity and weatherability. Durable. |
Bismaleimide
(BMI) |
High thermal stability.
Superior mechanical properties. Low dielectric loss. |
Fiber Types
Fiber Type
|
Description
|
E-Glass (Electrical)
|
Good insulation and strength.
|
S-Glass (Structural)
|
Higher strength and stiffness compared to
E-glass. |
C-Glass (Chemical)
|
High chemical resistance.
|
AR-Glass (Alkali-Resistant)
|
Specially designed for high resistance to alkalis
|
R-Glass (Reinforcement)
|
Similar to S-glass but used mainly in European markets.
|
D-Glass (Dielectric)
|
High dielectric properties for electrical insulation.
|
Performance Parameters (Reference)
Parameter
|
Typical Values
|
Tensile Strength
|
300-900 MPa
|
Flexural Strength
|
200-500 MPa
|
Modulus of Elasticity
|
20-50GPa
|
Compressive Strength
|
150-500 MPa
|
Shear Strength
|
80-100MPa
|
Thermal Conductivity
|
0.3-0.4 W/mK
|
Thermal Expansion
Coefficient |
8-12 x 10-6/℃
|
Heat Deflection Temperature
|
100-250°C
|
Dielectric Strength
|
15-40 kV/mm
|
Volume Resistivity
|
10¹⁰ to 10¹⁴ ohm-cm
|
Flammability
|
UL94 V-0 (for fire-
retardant resins) |
Density
|
1.7-2.0 g/cm³
|
Water Absorption
|
<0.5%
|
Service Life
|
20-50 years
|
Common Applications
Fiberglass profiles combine durability, low maintenance, and light weight, making them a versatile material for many industrial and structural applications.
- Construction: Used in bridge construction, walkways, handrails, and ladders.
- Marine: Fiberglass profiles are widely used in shipbuilding and offshore platforms due to their resistance to saltwater and corrosion.
- Electrical: Used in cable racks, electrical insulation, and components for substations.
- Chemical Processing: Used in corrosive environments such as chemical plants or wastewater treatment facilities.
- Composite Panels: Used in the internal structure of composite panels to enhance panel strength.