Made from extremely fine glass fibers, fiberglass is used as a reinforcing agent for many polymer products. The resulting composite material is properly known as glass-reinforced plastic (GRP) in Britain, fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) in the USA, or by the trade name Fiberglass, which has become a genericized trademark.
The plastic used in FRP can be thermo-set and thermo-plastic, most often polyester or vinylester, but other plastics, like epoxy (GRE), are also used. Other additives such as fillers, catalyst, (UV) Ultra-Violet inhibitors, and pigment may be incorporated.
FRP is the answer as a non-metallic material that has advantages over traditional materials such as wood, concrete, aluminum, and the many types of steel. It can be used in many applications where these conventional materials cannot meet required specifications such as fire ratings, impact resistance, and weight considerations.
Pultrusion is a manufacturing process that produces reinforced plastic shapes with constant cross sections. Pultruded FRPs are offered in three series designed for different environments and applications:
- Standard: All-purpose series utilizing an isophthalic polyester resin system. Color: Olive Green.
- FR/UV: All-purpose series utilizing a fire-retardant isophthalic polyester resin system with a UV inhibitor. Color: Dark Gray & Yellow.
- VE: Premium series, both fire-retardant and highly corrosion resistant, utilizing a vinyl ester resin system with a UV inhibitor. Color: Beige, Yellow.
- In addition to sheets, rods, and tube, a comprehensive line of profiles are available. Standard shapes include channels, angles, I-beams, threaded rods and nuts. Color: Beige.