https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/w/index.php?feed=atom&target=John_Smith&title=Special%3AContributions%2FJohn_SmithDesigning Buildings - User contributions [en]2026-06-23T21:16:41ZFrom Designing BuildingsMediaWiki 1.17.4https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Glass_reinforced_plastic_GRPGlass reinforced plastic GRP2019-05-07T10:42:24Z<p>John Smith: </p>
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<div>Glass reinforced plastic (GRP), is sometimes referred to as; glass reinforced polyester, fibreglass, glass-fibre reinforced plastic (GFRP), fibre reinforced plastic (FRP) or fibre reinforced polymer (FRP).<br />
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It is a composite, laminate material that was first developed in the 1930’s and consists of glass fibres used to reinforce a plastic, typically a polyester resin. The glass fibres can be use as ‘random’ short chopped strands formed into a mat, or they can be gathered together into ‘rovings’ (bundled rope), or woven into a fabric.<br />
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GRP can be mass produced or built up by hand, and after curing, forms a complex matrix of plastic and glass fibre. The [https://www.tuf-bar.com/gfrp-composite-materials-mechanical-properties-and-durability/ composite properties] of high-strength glass fibre and highly-resilient plastic, make GRP strong, lightweight and weather and corrosion resistant. It can also be manufactured to be fire retardant. As a result, it is suitable for a very wide range of applications such as boat building, car bodies, cabinets, helmets and so on.<br />
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In construction, these characteristics, mean that it is easy to install, requires little supporting structure, is durable and low maintenance. As a result, it is used to manufacture components such as:<br />
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* Architectural mouldings.<br />
* Fascia panels.<br />
* Tanks, planters and linings.<br />
* Storage containers.<br />
* Doors and door surrounds.<br />
* Window surrounds and sills.<br />
* Piping.<br />
* Cladding panels.<br />
* Roofing.<br />
* Walkways and railings.<br />
* Dome structures such as radomes.<br />
* Kiosks.<br />
* Covers.<br />
* Signs.<br />
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It can also be used for temporary applications such as formwork.<br />
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GRP can be given a range of colours and textures, as a result of which it is commonly used to re-create the appearance of other materials (such as brickwork) but with a fraction of the weight.<br />
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GPR is a fairly brittle material, but is relatively easy to repair when damaged.<br />
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= Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki =<br />
<br />
* Acrylic.<br />
* Carbon fibre.<br />
* Cladding.<br />
* Curtain wall systems.<br />
* Glass fibre.<br />
* Formwork.<br />
* Geodesic dome.<br />
* Glass.<br />
* Glass reinforced concrete.<br />
* Modular buildings.<br />
* Off site materials.<br />
* Plastic.<br />
* Plastic cladding.<br />
* Polycarbonate plastic.<br />
* The development of structural membranes.<br />
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[[Category:Articles_needing_more_work]] [[Category:Products_/_components]]</div>John Smith