Tuesday, December 19, 2017

Pultruded FRP Composites as an Alternate to Steel

Pultruded FRP suspendible roof structure
Pultruded FRP suspendible roof structure.
Pultrusion is a term that describes a manufacturing process for producing continuous lengths of FRP (fiberglass reinforced plastic) where reinforcing fibers are saturated with resin and pulled through a heated die to form a part. The result is a straight, constant cross-section profiles similar to standard steel shapes.

Pultruded composite sections can be used to design and install lightweight, corrosion-resistant and electrically non-conductive alternatives to steel structures, particularly where speed and ease of construction are important. Pultruded FRP has performance characteristics similar to other construction metals, but unlike steel, it is EM/RF transparent and doesn’t disrupt equipment signals.

Benefits:
  • Pound-for-pound stronger than steel.
  • Comparable structural performance to other metals such as aluminum, but without the conductivity, corrosion or impact limitations. 
  • Can be painted, coated or pigmented during manufacture for little-to-no maintenance in highly aggressive environments
  • Designed for UV performance
  • Enables rapid cleaning with aggressive solvents at high pressures
  • Meets industry requirements for durability, smoothness, absorbency, color, corrosion resistance and washability
Typical Uses:
  • Structural profiles and plates
  • Decking and planking
  • Platforms, stairs, ladders and cages
  • Handrails, guarding and kickplates
  • Grating and gridmesh
  • Bridge components
  • Structural building panels
  • Sheet piling and round pile
  • Containment systems
  • Ballistic and storm panels
  • Connection hardware
Pultruded FRP composites are ideal for structural elements where a strong, lightweight material is needed; corrosion is a concern for steel or other metals; RF permeability is needed; and low thermal or electrical conductivity is important.

To discuss using pultruded FRP composites on your next project, contact Process Systems Design by calling (410) 861-6437 or visit https://www.processsystemsdesign.com.