Structural Fiberglass FRP Channel
Fiberglass Reinforced ChannelFeatures:
• Non-Corrosive
• Does Not Rust or Rot
• Lower Life Cycle Cost
• Easy to Fabricate and Install
• Lightweight/High Strength
• High Impact Strength
• Dimensionally Stable
• Flame Retardant
• Electrically Non-Conductive
• Low Water Absorption
• Non-Leeching
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500 Standard Grade Is an all-purpose series utilizing an isophthalic polyester resin system. Color: Army Green
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525 FR/UV Grade Is an all-purpose series utilizing a fire-retardant isophthalic polyester resin system with a UV inhibitor. Color: Navy Gray (plus certain handrail and fixed-ladder components in yellow)
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625 VE Grade Is a premium series-both fire-retardant and highly corrosion resistant-utilizing a vinyl ester resin system with a UV inhibitor. Color: Sand Beige
Creels of unidirectional roving provide longitudinal tensile strength or the strength along the length of the profile. Rolls of continuous filament mat, woven roving, or stitched fabric provide the profile with its transverse properties or its strength across the width of the profile. All reinforcements are first fed through preforming guides that will begin to shape the raw glass fibers in to the finished profile. The glass is then pulled into a resin bath that saturates or “wets out” the reinforcements. The resin bath contains a mixture of resin, most commonly polyester or vinylester, pigments to add color, filler to enhance properties, and a catalyst to aid in curing or to turn it from a liquid to a solid.
Fiberglass reinforced plastic is one of the strongest and most durable materials in the world. Pultrusion is a manufacturing process for producing continuous lengths of fiberglass reinforced plastics shapes with a constant cross section. Surfacing veil is added to give the profile a resin rich surface and enhance the appearance of the final product. The wet out reinforcements now enter the heated pultrusion die. The heat begins the thermosetting reaction process that cures the finished profile. The cured profile is now advanced by a caterpillar style puller to the cut off saw where it will be cut to its final length.
