Fiber Reinforced Plastic(FRP) Pipe: Benefits and Defects

Glass fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) is a composite material made of glass fiber and its products (glass cloth, tape, felt, yarn, etc.) reinforced with synthetic resin as the matrix material. According to the different fibers can be divided into glass fiber reinforced composite plastic (GFRP), carbon fiber reinforced composite plastic (CFRP), boron fiber reinforced composite plastic. FRP pipe is made by fixed length winding, centrifugal casting and continuous winding process. frp pipes and water tanks have been widely used in petroleum, electric power, chemical industry, paper making, urban water supply and drainage and other industries.

The advantages of FRP pipe

1 Good corrosion resistance. As the main raw material of FRP is unsaturated polyester resin and glass fiber, it can effectively resist the corrosion of acid, alkali, salt and other media and the erosion of untreated sewage, corrosive soil, chemical wastewater and many kinds of chemical liquids, and has become the main raw material of chlor-alkali industry.

2 Good heat resistance. Glass fiber pipe can be used for a long time in the temperature range from -40℃ to 70℃, and the reinforced resin can even reach more than 200℃. UV absorbers are added to the outer surface of the open-air pipe to eliminate UV radiation to the pipe and delay the aging of the FRP pipe. The excellent corrosion resistance of FRP means that the material is lively and non-polluting, making it a natural material for storing highly pure water, pharmaceuticals, wine, milk and other highly clean items.

3 Good anti-freezing properties. No freezing and cracking will occur when the tube is frozen below -20°C.

4 Light weight and convenient transportation. FRP pipe is not only light weight, high strength, malleable, easy to transport and install, but also easy to install various branch pipes. A FRP tower will be founded easily.

5 Pipe flow resistance is small. Smooth inner wall, strong conveying capacity, low water resistance, no scaling, no rusting.

6. Good design capability. FRP pipe can be designed and manufactured into different pressure levels and stiffness levels according to the specific requirements of users, such as flow, pressure, burial depth, load conditions, etc.

7. Low maintenance cost. Since FRP pipe has excellent corrosion resistance, wear resistance, frost resistance and pollution resistance, there is no need for rust prevention, pollution prevention, insulation, insulation and other measures and maintenance. Buried pipes do not need cathodic protection, which can save more than 70% of maintenance costs.

8 Good wear resistance. Will contain a lot of sediment water into the FPR pipe rotary wear, the effect of comparison found frp than enamel coating and tar coating steel pipe wear is smaller.

9 High transmission capacity. The smooth glass inner wall of the steel pipe provides very little roughness and frictional resistance. Glass pipes can significantly reduce fluid pressure loss and increase conveying capacity: optional small diameter FRP pipes are available to reduce one-time investment costs and pumping costs. In addition, FRP pipes can shorten the pumping time.

Disadvantages of FRP pipe

1,Low modulus of elasticity. The modulus of elasticity of FRP is 2 times larger than wood and 10 times smaller than steel (E=2.1×106). Therefore, it is not rigid enough and easily deformed in structural applications. It can be made into thin shell structure, insulation sandwich structure, or made of high modulus fiber or steel.

2,Poor long-term temperature resistance. FRP can not be used at high temperatures for a long time, polyester FRP strength decreases significantly above 50 ℃, generally only used below 100 ℃. Epoxy FRP strength decreases significantly above 60℃. High temperature resistant resin makes long-term working temperature of 200-300℃ possible.

3,Easy aging. Aging phenomenon is a common defect of plastics and FRP. Its performance will be reduced by ultraviolet light, wind yarn rain and snow, chemical media, mechanical stress and other factors.

Follow WEITONG to find more benefits about FRP pipes and FRP tanks. We also have GRP pipes and pipe fittings for sale.