Fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites are becoming increasingly popular across the board.
As a result, a growing number of applications across sectors such as infrastructure, utilities, telecommunications, automotive, sports and recreation, aerospace, marine, etc., are finding that FRP composites are well-suited to their needs.
A composite is a composition material, typically consisting of a thermoset or thermoplastic polymer, reinforced with glass, carbon, aramid fibers, or combinations of materials.
How are FRP composite products manufactured? There are many ways to create fiberglass products (pultrusion, filament winding, gun roving, etc.), though pultrusion is the most commonly used.
Pultrusion is a manufacturing technique that converts reinforced fibers and liquid resin into fiber-reinforced plastic by pulling rather than pushing (as in extrusion). This resulting plastic composite is also known as a fiber-reinforced polymer.
There are two main types of pultrusion systems – reciprocating (hand-over-hand) and continuous (cat-track). Roving (long, narrow bundles) of fiber reinforcements (typically glass or carbon) are carefully positioned by creels for proper placement in the composite before being fed into a guide plate.
Pultrusion produces FRP profiles with a constant cross-section and is projected to be one of the most promising segments of the composites industry. If you’d like to learn more about the process of making FRP, download and read our guide here.
How do you decide on which FRP manufacturer to work with? This post will look at the most important factors to consider when you need to find a manufacturer for your project.
When vetting a manufacturer, ask about their quality management standards. Ensure they can meet the specifications of your project. Ask that they submit the following:
Look out for the expertise and experience of an FRP manufacturer. Find out:
Check that the FRP manufacturer has a skilled team with industry experience. This will give you confidence that your project can be completed with top-notch results and that the end result will fully meet the needs of your specific application.
Tencom has a team of engineers, designers, quality supervisors, skilled technicians, and project (lead) managers with a combined total of many years of experience developing FRP profiles.
Our team understands target applications and makes recommendations to ensure each customer receives an ideal FRP profile for their specific application (s).
One of the biggest indicators of a quality FRP manufacturer is their experience level — the appropriate manufacturer will have the expertise and capabilities to fulfill the order correctly, on time, and on budget. This saves both time and money and gives you peace of mind and confidence in the quality of the work you're receiving.
Draw up a list of product and application requirements for your product. With this information, the manufacturer (supplier) can provide information on similar products they have supplied to other customers. The discussion and answers derived from this list can help you to make an informed decision.
Are there any other special needs required for this product, if any?
Find out from an FRP manufacturer whether they have a team available when an expert in the field is needed. Most FRP profiles are prefabricated and ready for installation upon delivery. In a best-case scenario, an FRP manufacturer will send a technical representative to help with the installation and answer any project questions.
Generally, pultruded profiles are sold as component parts to be assembled with other components in a factory. Most pultrusion manufacturers would be willing to send someone to that factory to evaluate and assist as and when needed. Although few parts are shipped to a (construction) job site for assembly or used as manufactured when it is done, the manufacturer would usually prefer to be involved but may charge a fee.
The many advantages of FRPs are spurring their growth and increasing. It is undeniable that FRPs are changing the face of product manufacture and the industries they’re being applied in.
Currently, the global composites market size is pegged at $90.6 billion. By 2024, it’s expected to grow to $131.6 billion at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.7%. The growth of composites is rapid, but it is not surprising if you understand the benefits of using FRPs.
FRPs are the perfect option for any project because of their flexibility, exceptional performance properties, sustainability, design flexibility, and cost-effectiveness.
Pultruded fiberglass rods, tubing, and shapes can help project managers realize a wide range of design possibilities.
As a company, Tencom has been producing quality pultruded fiberglass products for over 22 years. If you have a design concept or product in mind and would like to learn more about the potential of FRPs, we'd love to talk to you. If you are interested in using FRPs for your next project and would like to find out more, contact us to see how we can help.