Some industry professionals use the terms “fiberglass” and “fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP)” interchangeably. However, there is technically a difference as the two can refer to distinct products. Below, we highlight what fiberglass and FRP are and how they differ.
Fiberglass is a material that is made by melting spinning glass. The process produces glass fibers, which can be used by themselves or combined with other materials for use in various applications. In the latter case, the glass fibers are utilized as a reinforcement material. The glass fiber provides the dominating mechanical properties to make the base material, which can be a liquid polymer, metal, or ceramic, into a stronger composite material.
Fiberglass-reinforced composites are sometimes referred to simply as “fiberglass” since fiberglass is present in all of them regardless of the base material. In composite materials, the glass fibers are available in many forms that facilitate manufacturing including yarns, rovings, mats and textile-style fabrics.
Fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) is a material that is produced by combining a polymer base material with a fiber reinforcement material. The fibers provide structure and stability to the polymer matrix. The polymer matrix support the fibers allowing it to perform correctly. It also protects the fiber from environmental conditions such as salt, moisture and UV radiation.
The term “polymer” refers to chemical compounds made of long molecule chains. For structural composites, this is a synthetic material (e.g., polyester, vinyl ester, epoxy). Generic words sometimes used for the polymer are resin and plastic. The fiber reinforcement can be a number of materials (e.g., glass fibers, carbon fibers, or graphite fibers). The exact polymer and fiber materials that are chosen influence the properties exhibited by the final composite material, which means manufacturers can tailor an FRP material to meet particular application requirements while minimizing cost and weight. For example, airplanes, high end recreation equipment, and the auto racing industry often utilize carbon or graphite as a reinforcement material due to the materials’ high stiffness. Fiberglass is the reinforcement of choice for most FRP products due to it having the best combination of properties and cost. Some companies and countries refer to glass fiber-reinforced polymers (GFRP) to provide the distinction with carbon reinforcements (CFRP.).
Given the definitions provided above, we can conclude that fiberglass and FRP can be used interchangeably in most, but not all cases. When discussing a composite material, fiberglass means a glass fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP or GFRP.) A fiberglass composite that does not use polymer as the base material cannot be called an FRP composite. Similarly, an FRP composite that does not use glass fibers as the reinforcement material or polymer as the base material cannot be called a GFRP composite.
Want additional information about fiberglass-reinforced polymer composites? Creative Composites Group is here to help! We provide FRP solutions for a wide range of industries and applications. As a result, our team has extensive knowledge about the material, including benefits, products, and applications. We can answer or address any questions or concerns you may have about it if you contact us today. Alternatively, download our eBook, “FRP: Benefits, Products, and Applications for Infrastructure.”
FRP vs GRP
In modern engineering, materials play a vital role defining the design, structure, performance, and efficiency of the product. Sometimes, the naturally occurring engineering materials are not able to satisfy the specifications of a product. Therefore, new materials were developed to accommodate a wide variety of engineering requirements by combining two or more materials together. These are known as composite materials.
Concrete, plywood, Aerogel, and carbon fibre are reinforced polymers; all are composite materials. This article focuses on a specific class of composite materials, which are known as fibre reinforced polymers. These materials are light weight, strong, and robust.
What is Fibre Reinforced Plastic/Polymer (FRP)?
Fibre reinforced polymers are made of two primary constituents; fibres and a polymer matrix. In FRP, the fibre is embedded in a polymer matrix. This structure gives completely different chemical and physical properties than the properties of the individual materials. In fact, these materials satisfy higher engineering requirements than the ordinary materials. Hence composites are applied in less sophisticated to very sophisticate and demanding manufacturing tasks. Mechanical, civil, biomedical, marine, and the aerospace industries are main users of composite materials.
The primary role of fibres is to provide strength and stiffness to the material. But the fibre alone is brittle (ex: glass). Therefore, the fibres are encased in a coating of polymer materials. Polymer matrix holds the fibres in their position and transfers the loads between the fibres. It also contributes to the inter-laminar shear strength.
The fibres used in composite are as follows; E-glass, S-glass, Quartz, Aramid (Kevlar 49), Spectra 1000, Carbon (AS4), Carbon (IM-7), Graphite (P-100), and Boron. Polyesters, Vinyl Esters, Epoxies, Bismaleimides, Polyimides, and Phenolics are the polymers used. Each polymer has different chemical and physical properties; therefore, contribute differently to the composite structure. As a result, the composite properties are also different based on the polymer.
Polyester and vinyl are low cost materials, hence used extensively in commercial applications. Epoxies are used for high performance continuous fibre matrices. It also performs better than vinyl and polyester in high temperature conditions. Bismaleimides and Polyimides are high temperature resin matrices for use in temperature critical engineering applications. Phenolics are high temperature resin systems with a good smoke and fire resistance; therefore, used in aircraft interiors.
What is Glass Reinforced Plastic (GRP) / Glass Fibre Reinforced Plastic (GFRP)?
Glass Reinforced Plastic, commonly known as fiberglass, is a fibre reinforced polymer with glass fibres in the composite structure. The polymer is usually the epoxy, polyester, or the vinyl. Fibreglass materials are commonly used in high performance leisure aircrafts and gliders, boats, automobiles, bathtubs, hot tubs, water tanks, roofing products, pipes, cladding, cast, Surfboards, and external door skins.
What is the difference between FRP and GRP?
• FRP is a composite material, where high strength fibres are included in a polymer matrix. They are used in many commercial and engineering applications due to their high strength and light weight. FRP is widely used as a substitute for metal and wood. Best example is the use of carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) instead of aluminum and titanium or high grade steel in aircrafts.
• Fibreglass or GRP is a composite material made out of glass fibres and uses polyester, vinyl, or epoxy as the polymer. It is used to make gliders, boats, and bathtubs. Fibreglass is used mainly for commercial applications. Fibre glass is one type of FRP.
Fiber reinforced plastic (or polymer) and Glass reinforced plastic are imperative to modern engineering because engineers use them to ensure that the design and structure of the product remain solid. The changing demands of clients in the industry and development of advanced technology have led engineers to collaborate with chemical specialists.
This has led to innovations in composites designed to meet different needs. Both these types of materials are high in demand in modern engineering.
Fiber Reinforced Plastic or Polymer is known by many names, but it is basically a composite of two types of fiber and a polymer. The fibers which are most commonly used include basalt, carbon, glass and aramid. In some cases, wood and paper are also used. In this mixture the fiber provides strength and stiffness to the material.
Fiber alone cannot provide the base for building large structures. The addition of polymer provides the strength needed for endurance.
Glass reinforced plastic is made of fiberglass and reinforced plastic. It is made of strands of glass with each fine glass fiber is woven to make a flexible fabric. It is most commonly used in gliders and various kinds of aircraft.
Other products which use GRP in abundance include boats and their different parts, pipes, water tanks, hot tubs, surfboards, bathtubs and automobiles. This is a generally stronger material and has wide appeal for making several types of manufactured goods. It maintains excellent structural strength and has high durability.
The major difference is in their composition. This invariably affects how they are each used and which industry they are favorable to and how resistant to heat they are. The mechanical strength and elasticity of the plastics in FRP are made richer by including other materials.
It is highly resistant to heat and other corrosive substances. While FRPS is used widely in automotive, aerospace and the construction industry; GRP is more popularly used in the power industry. Their ability to offer higher resistance to chemical and electrical forces makes them a good option because they cannot create a magnetic field.
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