Listen! Do you hear the sound of FRP moulded products?

FRP (or GFRP) is a general term for polymer matrix composites reinforced with fibers. The fibers give the composite strength and stiffness, and also act as a crack stopper. The matrix binds the fibers together and transfers the load from fiber to fiber. The matrix also protects the fibers from mechanical wear and chemical reactions with the environment. In principle, FRP material can be molded into any shape - it has no inherent form. In construction applications of FRP, the choice of manufacturing process is influenced by many factors, including:

▷Engineering requirements

▷Shipping/transportation capabilities

▷Installation equipment and capabilities

▷Maximum unit size

▷Surface finish

●Benefits of FRP include:

▷Lightweight - FRP is extremely lightweight and can achieve structural properties similar to GFRC at a thinner thickness.

▷Flexibility - FRP is more flexible than GFRC and does not suffer from the same brittleness and cracking problems.

▷Customized properties - Panel thickness, reinforcement orientation, overall reinforcement, core and thickness are often designed and customized to effectively meet performance criteria.

▷Durability and corrosion resistance - properly manufactured FRP will not rot like wood or rust like steel, and has very good chemical resistance.

●Open Molding Process

This process allows items to be produced with one molded surface. The largest items made with FRP are formed using the open-mold process.

The closed mold process requires a mold with matching male and female components. This process allows control of the finish of the top and bottom surfaces. The limited size of items that can be produced using closed molds and the high cost of the molds means that the process is often used only for mass-produced panels.

There are many variations of this process, such as chopper gun applications and vacuum infusion, as well as various other methods used to produce FRP parts, including pultrusion and fiber winding. In most cases, open molding and hand gluing make sense for large panels that only need to have a formed surface on one side.

●Fiberglass Profiles Produced by Pultrusion

Pultrusion is a continuous process in which thermoset polymers and reinforcing fibers are molded into profiles. Reinforcing materials such as glass fiber roving and mats are pulled through a liquid resin bath where they are impregnated with resin. The impregnated material is then formed into the desired shape and pulled through a heated mold. It is in this mold that polymerization or curing occurs. The product is then passed through the mold by the puller clamping mechanism and cut to the desired length by a saw.

●Fiberglass Profile Applications

Fiberglass stakes are widely used in gardening and agriculture to support vines, grapes, trees, flowers, flag poles, stands, travel tents, kites, umbrellas, shaft model aircraft and other plants.