COMPOSITE MATERIAL (FRP - FIBER REINFORCED PLASTIC)
Fiberglass-reinforced (FRP), also known as “composite” is a material consisting of reinforced fiber reinforcement and polymer resin. The reinforcements provide strength and stiffness, while the resin is an adhesive matrix to bond the fibers. The surface finish, gelcoat completely covers the reinforcing fibers and protects the fibers from the effects of the environment. FRP composites offer many advantages over traditional materials. , include: High strength, light, corrosion resistance, durable, flexible in design, part combination, stable size, poor thermal conductivity, good fire resistance, reproducibility.
WEIGHT (Kg/m3)
Tensile Strength (Mpa)
Compression strength (Mpa)
Tensile modulus (Gpa)
FRP
Wide Variety of Surfaces
A wide variety of textures, shapes and colors can be achieved when manufacturing FRP building parts or components. Various combinations of pigments, fine aggregates and durable metal powders can be added to the actual laminate to reduce or eliminate the need to paint FRP composite products.
Flexible Design
Designing FRP begins by considering polymeric resins and formable fiber reinforcement. The finished product, or partially finished product, can be bent, corrugated, ribbed or contoured into a variety of shapes. Unlike homogeneous materials, the design of an FRP sheet, component or system can be tailored at the material level to increase the strength and stiffness of the finished product.
High Stiffness With Light Weight
FRP material is one of the strongest commercial materials available today. By weight, FRP is stronger than conventional building materials. The toughness of FRP allows the use of thin sections; rigidity can be achieved using the core material of the structure, without significantly increasing weight.
Anticorrosion
Unlike metal, FRP material does not corrode / rust. Materials made from FRP have a longer lifespan in corrosive environments and perform very well in wet or even submerged environments and salt water
Reliability
Durability FRP products have weathered extreme climates since their introduction during World War II. As a result, FRP architectural parts can often reduce long-term maintenance costs when compared to many traditional materials.
Consolidation of Parts
A single FRP structure can replace an assembly of many parts and fasteners. This feature saves time, reduces assembly costs, and increases the “waterfall effect” of user benefits: For example, lighter equipment, smaller workgroups, and support structures can be used. lighter support during installation.
Transmit Light
FRP sheet can be made translucent. This is a unique property among structural materials. FRP components can simultaneously provide structure and cover, and provide natural or artificial light.
Mass Production And Uniform
Since the architectural components are cast from a durable mold, the FRP replicas are identical. When molds are taken from existing shapes, FRP materials faithfully reproduce the original shape, features and texture. This property has made the material a reliable source for replicating countless historic building decorations and parts for historic preservation projects.
Low Thermal Conductivity
low thermal conductivity FRP performs extremely well in harsh environments including high temperature to high ambient temperature. Composite materials are not easy to conduct heat; they therefore provide excellent thermal insulation. FRP composite products can be found in doors, panels and windows for extra protection from inclement weather. They do well in tropical as well as arctic regions
Fire protection
FRP products can be designed to meet all fire protection requirements set forth in sections of the International Building Code relating to interior finishes, light transmission materials and exterior assembly.
Piercing With Radar Waves
Most FRP composites made from fiberglass are transparent to radio frequencies and radar. This property allows composite products to be used as decorative panels or enclosures, designed to hide communication equipment on top or inside of building structures.
Stable Size
Dimensional stability FRP composites behave similarly to most other materials in that they expand and contract due to changes in temperature. The coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) varies with the content and type of resin and reinforcement used, as well as with the direction of the fiber. Typically, the CTE of a glass fiber reinforced unsaturated polyester resin is 14–22 x 10–6 in/in/oF (25–40 x 10–6 mm/mm/oC). Most carbon fibers have a negative CTE and as a result the fiber shrinks when the temperature is increased. However, a properly designed carbon / epoxy laminate can be manufactured with zero CTE
Insulation
derivative Typically, FRP composites are insulators. They are used for poles, standing insulators, and other applications where electrical conductivity is a disadvantage. The one exception is carbon fiber, which alone is conductive. Although thermoset plastics are not conductive, fillers can be used to induce conductive or semiconducting behavior if desired..
Non-Magnetic
non-magnetic FRP composite parts manufactured with traditional non-magnetic fiberglass and thermoset plastics. Magnets can be made into FRP composite panels through the incorporation of magnetic-responsive fillers or fibers.
Application
FRP materials used in construction to create Facade systems, domes, modular houses, potted plants, decorative walls... Especially famous materials used to manufacture aircraft and yacht fuselages.
