What Is FRP? Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic Explained
The definition, what it is made of and how it behaves.
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- Home
- Why FRP
Why ChooseFiberglass (FRP)?
Fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP) is the better choice when corrosion, weight, electrical conductivity or maintenance cost drives your project, and the wrong choice when stiffness or high temperature decides it. This section gives you the engineering reasons on both sides, so you can pick the material before you pick a product.
When It Fits
When Fiberglass Is the
When Fiberglass Is the
Right Material
FRP is a composite of a polymer and a reinforcing fiber. The industry association ACMA lists lightweight, easy to install, corrosion resistant, durable and resilient as its main attributes.1 In practice that points to four situations.
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01
Wet, Coastal or Chemical Areas
Where steel needs repeated coating and still corrodes.
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02
Work Near Live Electrical Equipment
FRP does not conduct electricity.
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03
Sites Without Cranes
Light members can be carried and fitted by hand.
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04
Long Service With Little Maintenance
FRP does not rust like metal or rot like wood.2
Built for These Situations
Machs makes four product lines for these jobs.
Limits
When It Is Not
Stiffness, temperature and fire set the limits of FRP. These limits are manageable when you design for them.
Same load, same spanDeflection
- Same section
- Deeper section
- Shorter span
Guides
Five Guides in This Section
Short engineering guides on the questions buyers ask before they choose FRP.
Fiberglass vs Steel vs Aluminum: How to Choose
A side-by-side comparison, including the stiffness trade-off.
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Pultrusion vs Molding: Which FRP Process Fits Your Product?
Which process suits which product.
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Fiberglass Resin Selection and Corrosion Guide
Matching vinyl ester, isophthalic, phenolic and other resins to the environment.
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FRP Fire and Slip Performance: How to Read the Test Reports
How to read fire and slip test reports.
Read the GuideFAQ
Questions Before You Choose
Cost, replacing steel and where to start.
Still Have a Question?
Send us the environment, loads and drawings, or ask our engineers directly.
View all FAQsOften not at purchase, but the comparison should use the designed member and the installed, maintained cost over its life, not the price per kilogram.3
Yes for many platforms, walkways, handrails and frames, provided the member is designed for FRP stiffness. Machs engineering support can check a layout before you order.
Send the environment, loads and drawings through the contact page, and Machs will suggest the product and resin.
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Send Your Environment, Loads and Drawings
Tell Machs where the part or platform will be used and what it has to carry, and the team will suggest the product and resin.
Helpful to include
- Environment: chemicals, temperature, outdoor or coastal exposure
- Loads, spans and how the member is supported
- Drawing, sketch or photo of the layout
- The product you are considering, if any
- Emailinfo@machsfrp.com
- Phone / WhatsApp+86 138 6294 9363
FactoryNo. 28, Longyou Road, Wuyao Town, Rugao City, Jiangsu, China
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