FRP Man-Hole Cover
What is FRP ?
FIBRE-REINFORCED POLYMER (FRP)
Is a composite material made of a polymer matrix reinforced with fibers. The fibers are usually glass fibers, the polymer is usually an epoxy, vinylester or polyester thermosetting plastic, and phenol formaldehyde resins are still in use. FRP’s are commonly used in the aerospace, automotive, marine, construction industries and ballistic armor.
COMPRESSION MOULDING
When the raw material containing reinforced fibers are compressed & molded at certain pressure & temperature the final outcome would be called a FRP molded product, which qualifies it as a fibre- reinforced polymer. More typically the polymer preform used in compression molding does contain reinforcing fibers. In compression molding, a “preform” or “charge”, of SMC, BMC is placed into molding cavity, the mold is closed and the material is formed & cured inside by pressure and heat. Compression molding offers excellent detailing for geometric shapes ranging from pattern and relief detailing to complex curves and creative forms, to precision engineering all within a maximum curing time of 20 minutes.
ADVANTAGES AND LIMITATIONS
FRP allows the alignment of the glass fibers to suit specific design programs. Specifying the orientation of reinforcing fibers can increase the strength and resistance to deformation of the polymer. Glass reinforced polymers are the strongest and most resistive to deforming forces when the polymers fibers are being exerted with a parallel force
