Dear Readers,
The Expansion of FRP is
fiberglass-reinforced plastic which is a composite material consisting of
thermoset resin and fibre reinforcement. FRP is principally made up of
thermoset resin and glass Fibers. Resins can be divided into two broad classes:
thermosetting and thermoplastic. Thermosetting resins cure to produce an
infusible solid material that does not melt when heated. They soften when
heated above their glass transition temperature, but do not reach a liquid
state. Thermosetting resins used for FRP are typically purchased in liquid form
and are reacted to a solid with chemical additives.
Compared to most metals, FRP is
generally considered a non-ductile material. FRP has a long elastic zone and
markedly lower modulus of elasticity as compared to carbon and stainless steel.
It should be noted that since FRP is a composite material, its material
properties are orthotropic in nature, meaning that the properties are different
in the hoop and axial directions.
Pipes can be manufactured by contact moulding
(Hand lay-up) or hand lay up in combination with filament winding.
Types of glass fibre reinforcements
1. Chopped Stand Mat (CSM)
2. Rovings
3. Woven glass fabrics
4. Surface Veil
They are manufactured from glass or
synthetic fibres such as polyester.
A
wide range of process equipment is constructed from FRP to meet the service conditions including Chlorine dioxide generators and storage tanks, bleach
towers, Effluent Piping, Process Piping, Sump, and trough linings. FRP piping
system is available in a wide range of sizes starting from 1 inch to 144
inches.
FRP Pipes are light Weight and Non-Corrosive and easily constructed, it is up to 75% less than Steel weight but it is equally strong. Density of FRP composite is 1800 Kg/Cum, Where as Carbon Steel is 7860 Kg/Cum.
