Glass fibre reinforcement type significantly impacts FRP corrosion performance As metal prices rise, engineers and end-users are increasing their use of glass-fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) solutions in corrosive environments. In many cases, FRP is lower in cost, has outstanding performance and provides equal, if not superior, quality over high-cost alloys. specific environments. As there are many glass fibre reinforcement types (Table 1) available on the market today, using the correct type of glass fibre will improve the lifetime performance of the FRP application and reduce the risk of failure. MATT LIESER, GLOBAL SPECIFICATION MARKETING LEADER By corrosion Tab. 1: Glass type evolution - Glass fibre reinforcement type determines FRP corrosion performance ...p49 - New mould manufacturing process ...p54 - A new product range for marine applications .........p56 - The promise of fibrereinforced thermoplastics: low weight and recyclability ...........p52 OWENS CORNING Glass type A-glass Year invented 1938 1939 1943 1965 1965 1974 1980 1996 2004 2004 2008 Inventor Owens Corning Owens Corning Owens Corning Saint Gobain1 R ecent articles in the USA focused on several coal-burning power plants using alloy steel components in their flue gas desulphurization (FGD) units. The FGD units remove pollutants but the owners are being forced to spend millions of dollars on short-term corrosion repairs of the alloy steel. Power plant owners using FRP are experiencing good results and the use of FRP applications in corrosive environments is growing in the power & energy, mining, chemical processing and other demanding markets. E-glass C-glass R-glass S-glass AR-glass E-CR Glass Advantex H-glass HPG Direct melt-S ® 1- Owens Corning acquired the glass fibre business of SaintGobain in November 2007. Using the proper glass type The type of glass fibre reinforcement plays a significant role in how the FRP application will perform in corrosive environments. It is imperative that the proper FRP materials are selected to ensure their corrosion performance properties meet the needs of their Corrosive environments Glass fibre reinforcements play an important role in FRP applications facing corrosive environments. They provide the mechanical structure (strength and stiffness) required of the FRP part and optimize corrosion performance. If an incorrect glass No69 November-December 2011 / jec composites magazine Owens Corning Owens Corning Owens Corning Owens Corning Saint Gobain1 Owens Corning Owens Corning Laser projection for hand lay-up of composites. Red and green. Accurate to the millimeter. 49 Technology & Innovationshttp://www.lap-laser.com