The modern construction industry and industrial world is all about sustainability, efficiency, and eco-friendliness. To that end, fiber reinforced polymers, also known as FRPs, are becoming increasingly popular. Fiber reinforced polymer composites are highly versatile and widely used materials that get used in a wide range of industrial applications.
Fiber reinforced polymers consist of a core polymer that gets reinforced with fibers. These reinforcing fibers, such as glass, carbon, and Kevlar, support the polymer matrix, which typically consists of epoxy, polyester, vinyl ester, or similar materials. The wide range of composite materials you can use in FRP are what make it so versatile and durable.
If you're curious and want to know more about FRP composites and how it's used in industrial applications, you've come to the right place. This article will take a closer look at what FRP composites are, how they're used, and some advantages it has over similar materials.
What are FRP Composites?
As we've already covered, FRP composites consist of a hard outer polymer matrix material combined with reinforcing fibers. Several different materials can get used for both the polymer and the fibers, but most of these materials are sustainable and eco-friendly. They are also highly durable and easy to source, and their combined physical properties give them a high level of chemical resistance.
Here are some of the materials used for the polymer matrix as well as the reinforcement.
- Glass fibers
- Carbon fibers
- Basalt fibers
- Sisal fibers
- Flax fibers
- Hemp fibers
- Wood fibers
- Epoxy
- Polyester
- Vinyl ester
Why is FRP Ideal for Industrial Applications?
The reason that FRP composites are perfect for industrial applications is because of how durable and strong they are. Fiber-reinforced plastics or polymers are designed to withstand a wide range of abuses and environments and to perform well no matter what. The outer composite material makes the FRP create corrosion resistance and resistance to abrasion, while the reinforcing fibers add strength and structural integrity.
Thanks to this combination of mechanical strength, tensile strength, and overall durability, FRP is perfect for industrial applications. It gets used in everything from the aerospace and marine industries to construction and even the automotive industry.
Advantages of FRP Flooring
One of the most common uses for FRP is in the flooring industry in commercial or industrial settings. Here are some of the reasons why:
Slip Resistance
FRP flooring is one of the safest types of flooring you can use in potentially slippery environments. FRP is slip-resistant, making it a popular option in wastewater treatment plants, marine environments, boats, and similar situations. FRP is also water-resistant, which means it won't warp and wither in wet conditions.
Easy Installation
Another big draw of FRP flooring is that it's extremely easy to install. It's easy enough, in fact, that you and your employees may be able to do it on your own, saving thousands of dollars in the process.
Low Maintenance
The beautiful thing about FRP is that once it's installed, it requires little to no ongoing maintenance. Because the natural fibers and polymers used to create FRP are so durable and resistant to the elements, FRP flooring shouldn't corrode, degrade, or show wear and tear at all.
Extremely Durable
In addition to no maintenance and easy installation, FRP is one of the most durable flooring materials in the world. It has an estimated lifespan of up to 100 years and will require no care during that time.
Eco-Friendly and Sustainable
Finally, FRP composites are derived from sustainable resources, making them extremely eco-friendly. The natural fibers and raw materials often used in FRP design are readily available and easy to harvest. The fact that FRP is extremely durable and recyclable only adds to its eco-friendliness.
Where is FRP Typically Used?
FRP is one of the most versatile types of flooring in the flooring industry. You can use it in a wide range of commercial and industrial applications, including the following:
Ramps
According to Freedman and Rubin, ramps are one of the most common places for workplace accidents. Whether it's from slips, falls, or tripping, ramps can be extremely dangerous if you don't use the proper materials. That's why ramps frequently feature FRP flooring in locations like wastewater treatment plants, nuclear facilities, and similar locations.
Catwalks
Similarly to ramps, catwalks are a frequent source of workplace injuries. What makes catwalks even more hazardous, however, is the fact that they're often in high locations where a fall could be catastrophic. As such, FRP is often used on catwalk floors and railings. In addition to making catwalks safer, FRP also doesn't require ongoing maintenance, which is difficult to perform on high catwalks.
Walkways and Work Platforms
Along with catwalks and ramps, FRP is often used for flooring on walkways and work platforms. From stages and warehouse flooring to indoor bridges and loading docks, FRP significantly enhances your workplace safety.
Staircases, Decking, and Handrails
Stairways are another common place where you'll find fiber-reinforced plastic floors and platforms. You can even use FRP materials for decking, handrails and other stair components, as FRP is very malleable and moldable to fit your needs. FRP is especially important when it comes to decking and handrails.
In addition to being extremely durable and easy to install, FRP decking and handrails are also the best decking and handrail materials if safety is a top concern. FRP offers a slip and corrosion-resistant surface with excellent grip that won't rust in the elements. As such, in addition to being great on staircases, FRP decking and handrails are perfect for pedestrian walkways, bridges, docks, boats, and more.
Other Industries That Use FRP
In addition to these specific uses for fiber composites, there are also a number of industries that use FRP in various ways, including:
- Automotive Industry
- Aerospace Industry
- Personal Protective Equipment
- Cooling Towers
- Theme and Water Parks
- Agricultural and Farming
- Mining Industry
Essentially, any industry that requires the thermal and mechanical properties of durability, corrosion resistance, strength, and malleability can utilize FRP composites.
FRP Trenches
Another common use of FRP is in the construction of FRP trenches. In this instance, FRP refers to fiberglass-reinforced plastic or fiberglass-reinforced polymer because the polymer matrix is fiberglass. FRP trenches are the grates on the ground in commercial and industrial facilities that allow liquids to drain while not allowing solids to pass through.
FRP trenches are starting to get used much more often than traditional steel grates, which are much heavier and expensive. In addition to being lightweight and affordable, FRP trenches also won't rust and are less likely to cause injury if someone falls on them.
Another upside of FRP trenches is that you can custom order them to meet your needs. Some trenches require more drainage than others, which means larger or smaller slits in the grates.
As you can see, there are many different uses for fiber reinforced polymers in the construction industry and beyond. Best of all, FRP is in its earliest stages and advancements are being made each year to make FRP even stronger and more durable. Be on the lookout for FRP composites to become even more popular in the future.