Fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP) panels have been widely used since the s. They are known for their strength and light weight, and are used in the modular construction industry because of their low maintenance and other valuable features. In this article, well define what FRP panels are, cover their benefits and applications, and compare FRP with other materials.
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What are FRP Panels?
Fiberglass reinforced plastic panels are a mix of strong fiberglass and a special type of plastic, which makes the panels both sturdy and light weight. The fiberglass makes them strong, while the plastic creates a surface that is both smooth and non-porous. FRP panels as a whole are strong, light weight, and especially resistant to environmental factors, such as moisture and chemicals.
Benefits of FRP Panels
: As mentioned earlier, FRP panels are both strong and light weight. This, in turn, makes them ideal for modular structures, as they can be assembled and reassembled with ease.
: In any construction project, corrosion can become a problem. These panels, however, are able to handle weathering very well. They resist corrosion and chemical damage, which means they have a
greater longevity
than other materials.
:
The smooth surface of these panels makes them easy to clean and maintain.
: Fiberglass reinforced panels are exceptionally tough. As a result, they do well in industrial applications, where materials need to withstand harsh conditions. They are also moisture resistant, preventing issues like mold and mildew.
: They can also be made to resist fire and chemicals, making them a smart choice in places where safety is important. The fire ratings of FRP panels help meet strict safety standards.
: These panels can be manufactured in a variety of textures and colors, which offers flexibility in design for modular offices, guard shacks , and more.
Interested in customizing your space? Contact the experts at Allied Modular today to get a free quote and explore your options.
Applications of FRP Panels
: These spaces rely heavily on FRP panels. At Allied Modular, we use these panels to create office spaces for a variety of business needs.
: FRP panels provide lightweight and secure walls for guard shacks and security booths. Their strength and durability make them ideal for improving the safety of personnel.
: These panels can also be used for enclosing machinery in manufacturing environments. Because of their light weight, they are easy to install and quick to set up within warehouses or other manufacturing areas.
: FRP panels are especially useful in cleanrooms because of their non-porous surfaces. This makes cleaning simple, and prevents particles or germs from lingering in hard-to-reach places. They are widely used in the food processing industry due to their hygienic properties.
Comparing FRP Panels with Other Materials
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FRP vs. Traditional Materials
Steel and Aluminum
: While steel and aluminum are strong, they are more liable to corrosion and are much heavier than FRP.
Wood
: Wood is less expensive, but it lacks the corrosion resistance of FRP.
Cost Comparison
FRP panels may sometimes have a higher upfront cost than traditional materials. However, because of their low maintenance and longevity, they may be a more cost-effective choice.
The flame spread of FRP panels is also lower compared to some traditional materials, adding an extra layer of safety.
The Bottom Line
Fiber reinforced plastic panels are strong, durable, and can withstand various weather conditions, from rain and sun exposure to overall corrosion. Theyre also tough against rough handling, which makes them preferable for many industrial uses. Further, theyre perfect for lots of different places, such as modular offices, guard shacks, machine enclosures, and cleanrooms. Choosing these panels means youre getting a solution thats not only built to last but also easy to take care of.
As a result, FRP panels are becoming increasingly popular in the United States. Many businesses are opting for these wall panels in their construction projects, appreciating the balance of strength, lightweight, and low maintenance.
If youre interested in learning more about our materials, check out our wall and ceiling product options today.
A: Fiberglass is a very generic term and can mean a wide variety of different products. FRP stands for fiber-reinforced plastic. Generally, its a term used for our type of fiberglassgrating, structurals, and the like.
If you do a Google search for fiberglass products, you may find the terms fiberglass and FRP used interchangeably. Honestly, if you dont know what they are talking about, it can be quite confusing trying to distinguish between the two. One way of thinking endorses that there is no difference between fiberglass and FRP. Those that follow this line of thinking claim that FRP is simply a marketing term. A better way of sorts to describe a more advanced form of fiberglass. They contend that fiberglass and FRP are in fact, the same.
However, if you dig into the technical specifications of fiberglass and FRPthats just not accurate. FRP would be better described as a more advanced form of fiberglass.
In technical terms, you create fiberglass by spinning melting glass in such a way that it creates fibers of glass. In and of itself these fibers can be a usable product, but more often than not fiberglass is used in a composite.
A composite is a combination of materials that when combined, create a new substrate. The composite is often comprised of a matrix or base material and reinforcement material. The matrix can be metal, plastic, or even ceramic. Fiberglass, in this case, is the reinforcement material that makes the composite stronger than the parts on their own.
Most just call the resulting composite fiberglass since no matter the base, fiberglass is used for reinforcing it. Today, many companies are trending towards calling plastic-based composites glass-reinforced plastic. This is due to the usage of plastic or variations of plastic such as vinyl or polyester. The term GRP distinguishes this product from FRP by changing a key word. Confused yet? Read on.
FRP is an abbreviation for fiber-reinforced polymer. Not to get too scientific, a polymer is a chemical compound with a long chain-like structure of molecules. Some polymers are natural like rubber, others are synthetic such as polypropylene. Pliable synthetic polymers such as polypropylene are called thermoplastics while more rigid ones such as polystyrene are called thermosets.
The polymer matrix can be reinforced with many different kinds of fibers depending on the purpose of the final product. The fibers used can be glass as in fiberglass, or it can also be carbon or graphite such as in the auto racing industry.
Because the fibers in FRP arent necessarily glass, not all FRP is GRP but all GRP is FRPsurely you must be confused now. It comes down to the designation of the fibers used, GRP uses glass in the form of fibers. Therefore, it is both FRP and GRP since it does use fibers. However, a polymer reinforced with carbon would only be an FRP since the fibers used are carbon not glass. Kind of like all dogs are canines but not all canines are dogscanines also include wolves, coyotes, and foxes.
FRP products like grating and structural pieces from DEFI are used more and more in all industries. Especially with construction and manufacturing, FRP is seeing a huge surge in usage due to it being lightweight but incredibly strong. In fact, in some situations, its up to seven times stronger than steel and is corrosion resistant. So, you see, fiberglass and FRP really are technically different when you break it down but they are the future of industrial structures.
No matter the industry you are in, DEFI FRP products can play a vital part in increasing the safety of your operation. Not only keeping your workers safe but also keeping long-term operational costs down. Contact us today to see how we can implement our FRP products into your operation.
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