fiberglass profiles

May 11, 2020
YES THAT

fiberglass profiles

When we refer to fiberglass profiles, we are talking about a series of fundamental components for constructing various buildings. These structural elements are made up of squares , angles, channels, flat bars, beams, and other basic components. They are what guarantee greater safety and versatility for structures that will be used for different purposes.

What are they made of?

Profiles made from fiberglass stand out for offering improvements to some characteristics that profiles made of aluminum, steel or other materials have. Our fiberglass profiles are used to build offices, hospitals, shopping malls, stores, electricity pylons, and other large-scale works. It is a very durable material that also offers great flexibility.

On this occasion we will discuss some of the advantages of the structural profile made of fiberglass reinforced plastic.

In construction, there are essential elements upon which the proper building of any type of structure depends; profiles are one of these elements. Their key function is to distribute the loads of the structure and support the weight of the materials and the weight generated by its use, such as furniture, people, and other elements.

The load they receive causes very high stresses that reach critical points . To prevent the profiles from twisting or fracturing, they need to have excellent mechanical behavior; for this reason, the beams used are traditionally made of iron or steel, with different alloys, depending on their purpose.

But in recent decades, materials have been developed that are cheaper, lighter, and have mechanical properties similar to steel and other metals.

The most popular and widely used material for manufacturing structural profiles is fiberglass-reinforced plastic, which has a broad range of applications and offers a unique combination of corrosion resistance (unlike metals) , high mechanical strength, and directional stability. A key characteristic is its lightweight nature, which significantly reduces the weight of structures and, consequently, their installation costs.

They are not thermal or electrical conductors and unlike metals, which have high conductivity to heat and electricity, they are ideal in a wide variety of industries where high temperatures or high voltage electrical currents are used, which can put workers at risk.

Durability

Fiberglass profiles offer a long useful life and require little maintenance, so in different areas where steel, aluminum or wood components were traditionally used, fiberglass is currently used. It is a very economical and it can be manufactured in any shape, color or dimension.

Where can they be used?

Today they are used in a wide variety of industries, including the architectural and commercial sectors, the food and beverage industry, the manufacturing industry, mining, wastewater treatment, the chemical, oil and gas industry, the energy industry, the construction of bridges and highways, and many others.

Advantages of fiberglass reinforced plastic profiles

In addition to its price and versatility, fiberglass reinforced plastic profiles offer several advantages, making them a better option than steel or iron in various situations. Among some of the advantages that we can highlight are:

Corrosion resistance. These profiles are manufactured with a combination of polyester and fiberglass, both materials are known for their ability to provide resistance to corrosion in the most aggressive environments and levels of exposure to chemical substances. In the same way, they do not produce oxidation when exposed to the weather or, as in the case of bridges, submerged in fresh or salt water. They also usually have finishes to protect them from ultraviolet radiation, a factor that usually accelerates the corrosion or oxidation of various materials.
Little maintenance. The anticorrosive and antioxidant properties of fiberglass profiles and other products made from these materials reduce or in some cases eliminate the need to clean, scrape or repaint them, contrary to the various metals that require continuous maintenance. Its materials are easy to clean with high pressure hydro washers, without losing the quality of its finish.
Fire retardant. Despite the fact that polymers are considered flammable products, when they are combined with other elements -such as fiberglass-, they acquire unique properties. In this case, our profiles are fire retardant and are rated with a spread of flame 15, within international standards.
Its materials are considered self-extinguishing, so they are ideal in areas prone to fire or handling of highly flammable.
Low installation cost. Because their materials are lightweight and easy to use in construction, fiberglass reinforced plastic structural profiles eliminate the need for heavy material loading equipment; welding equipment is not required for the joints and they significantly reduce the weight of the structures, so the foundations and columns require less reinforcement to provide the same resistance.
Long duration. Fiberglass products provide durability and high resistance to corrosion, They are an excellent option in the most demanding applications and that's why they have a longer useful life a that traditional materials such as wood and steel.
They do not conduct electricity or heat. As we have mentioned, fiberglass does not conduct electricity and has a low thermal conductivity radius.

Due to these advantages, fiberglass profiles have gained more and more importance in the market in the various industries that we have mentioned, meeting the highest standards and construction demands.

Fiberglass structures are a perfect material for general construction, and at SIESA you can access a very wide selection of fiberglass structures and gratings.

Our Engineers will be able to guide you throughout the process from the selection of materials to the start-up of your work to turn your project into a reality.

Applications of pultruded products