What Is GRP? About Glass Reinforced Plastic

07 Feb.,2024

 

GRP is made from strands of glass called fibres. These are extremely fine fibres that are woven together to create a flexible fabric. GRP is a moulded product, meaning it must be placed in or around the shape of the item it is required to take. GRP composite incorporates aluminium oxide aggregate surface, which is diamond hard, and offers a high resistance to long-term wear.

With GripClad products, the anti-slip grit cannot be knocked out as happens with over-coating methods. No peel-back or chipping can occur around localised damage points, the colour cannot be worn off and flexing/movement will have no effect. With both GRP and FRP materials, there is a 100% guarantee that it cannot rust or corrode.

How Are GRP Products Made?

These products are pre-finished, ready to install plates/covers constructed from extremely robust composite GRP. All our products are bonded together in a single manufacturing process, referred to sometimes as pultrusion manufacturing, making for the strongest and most durable pedestrian safety products available today.

GRP grating is produced through a moulding method, whereas GRP handrailing and pultruded profiles are produced by the pultrusion method.

GRP stair tread covers, GRP sheeting and GRP stair nosings are constructed from a base mix of fire retardant polyester resins interspersed with layers of immensely strong interwoven glass fibre. The colour pigmentation is floated right through the full thickness of the material so that it is impossible for the colour to wear off and become unsightly. The fused alumina anti-slip grain is then forced, under pressure, into the base mix while it is still wet, followed by a final resin layer laid over the top of it all. This entire composite mix is then cured at optimum temperatures until fully hard. No layering, no bonding, no weak spots, just one immensely strong composite, solid product.

What are the properties of GRP?

GRP has a number of valuable properties, making it extremely useful in industries all over the world. These properties include:

  • Thermal insulation
  • Anti-slip safety
  • High strength-to-weight ratio
  • Does not melt, but burns similarly to wood (it can be produced fire retardant if required)
  • High energy absorption
  • Chemical resistance
  • Corrosion resistance
  • Can be used in enclosed electrical spaces
  • Good insulation to heat and sound
  • Easy to shape

GRP is a useful material for a variety of different reasons. Regardless of the application you require it for, or the industry you work in, GRP is a long-lasting and reliable product.

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