Since the beginning of the 20th century, GRP fiberglass has been used in a wide range of industrial applications.
Originally used to insulate buildings, it is now widely used in the aeronautics, automotive and construction industries.
What is GRP fiber? How is it formed and what are its benefits? ADF Systèmes takes stock.
What is GRP or PRV?
GRP is an acronym for Glass Reinforced Plastic . Composed mainly of a polymer matrix supplemented by glass fibers, this ultra-polyvalent material can be used to manufacture a wide range of equipment, including explosion-proof and enhanced safety equipment.
How is GRP material manufactured?
In general, the GRP polymer matrix is a thermosetting resin such as epoxy, vinyl ester or polyester. The resin used gives the alloy its resistance to chemical effluents. Its hardening is generated by the addition of a catalyst.
How is fiberglass made?
Glass fiber is incorporated during the production process to reinforce the polymer matrix. It can be added in a completely random fashion, or oriented according to the desired degree of strength.
In terms of properties, GRP is the material of choice, offering a high strength-to-weight ratio , excellent durability, lightness and non-conductivity.
What are the benefits of GRP fiberglass?
Using glass-fiber-reinforced unsaturated polyester offers many advantages in the manufacture of equipment and materials.
At ADF Systèmes, here’s why we’ve chosen to offer you products made with GRP:
- Test compliance: CENELEC and ATEX (EEC), UL and FM (USA), CSA (Canadian) and GOST (Russian and Kazakh)
- Mechanical resistance: as resistant as metals to mechanical shock, vibration and explosion tests.
- Chemical resistance: GRP is resistant to attack by acids and bases. If these products are present in high concentrations, the resistance of GRP is equal to that of metal.
- Non-corrosive: Better than aluminum, GRP is at least as resistant as stainless steel.
- Virtually zero maintenance: Our GRP equipment can be “set and forget”. The immediate benefit is lower equipment maintenance costs.
- Flame retardant: Successfully passed ISO 1210 standard.
- U.V. stability: GRP has proven its resistance to accelerated aging for over 50 years. Tests passed include ISO 4892, ISO 179 and EN 50014.
- Thermal stability: Most of our equipment is certified for use from -55°C to +55°C. This means they can be installed anywhere in the world. Tests successfully passed include IEC 216-1 and 216-2, ISO 178 and ISO R527.
As well as having a low initial purchase cost, being ultra-resistant and corrosion-proof, GRP requires less maintenance, making it very cost-competitive over the long term .
Are you interested in products made from GRP?
ADF Systèmes, the experts in industrial safety, makes it a point of honor to help you choose the products and solutions best suited to your industrial safety and risk management needs.
