The advantages and disadvantages of fiberglass reinforced plastic pipe

1.  Good corrosion resistance. As the main raw materials of FRP are unsaturated polyester resin and glass fiber, which can effectively resist the corrosion of acid, alkali, salt and other media and the erosion of untreated sewage, corrosive soil, chemical wastewater and many chemical liquids, it has become the main material of Chlor-alkali industry.

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2. Good aging resistance and heat resistance. Fiberglass tube can be used in the temperature range of -40℃ ~ 70℃ for a long time, and the reinforced resin can even reach more than 200℃. The ultraviolet absorbent is added to the outer surface of the open-air pipeline to eliminate the ultraviolet radiation to the pipeline and delay the aging of the FRP pipeline. The excellent corrosion resistance of FRP means that this material has the property of being lively and non-polluting, which makes it a natural material for highly clean goods such as storing high purity water, medicine, wine, milk, etc.

3. Good anti-freezing performance. The freezing crack will not occur after freezing in the tube below minus 20℃.

4. Lightweight and convenient transportation. Fiberglass reinforced plastic tube is not only lightweight, high strength, strong plasticity, easy to transport and installation, but also easy to install a variety of branch pipe.

5. Small flow resistance inside the tube. The smooth inner wall, strong conveying capacity, small water resistance, will not cause scale and rust.6. Good design ability. The glass steel tube can be designed and manufactured into different pressure classes and stiffness classes according to the user's specific requirements, such as flow rate, pressure, burial depth and load conditions.

6. 7. Low maintenance cost. Due to its excellent corrosion resistance, abrasion resistance, frost resistance and pollution resistance, FRP tubes do not need rust prevention, pollution prevention, insulation, insulation and other measures and maintenance. The buried pipe does not need cathodic protection, which can save more than 70% of maintenance cost.

7. Good abrasion resistance. Put the water contains a lot of mud and sand into FPR pipe rotation wear effect comparison test, after 3 million times rotating tube wall wear depth is as follows: the tar and enamel coating of steel pipe is 0.53 mm, with epoxy resin and tar coating of steel pipe is 0.52 mm, the surface hardening treatment of FRP pipe is 0.21.

8. Good thermal insulation. Fiberglass reinforced plastic as a non-conductor, insulation resistance Ω. ~ cm, the heat transfer coefficient is 0.23, is five over one thousand of the steel, excellent piping insulation performance, the most adapted to use in power transmission, telecommunications line concentration areas and more minefield.

9. High conveying capacity. The smooth glass inner wall of the steel tube provides very little roughness and friction resistance. The roughness coefficient is 0., while the concrete pipe is 0.014 and the cast iron pipe is 0.013, so the glass pipe can significantly reduce the fluid pressure loss through, improving the conveying capacity: the optional small diameter FRP pipe reduces the one-time input cost and pumping cost. In addition, the FRP pipe can shorten the pumping time.

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1. Low elastic modulus. The elastic modulus of FRP is two times larger than that of wood, but 10 times smaller than that of steel (E=2.1×106). Therefore, it is not rigid enough and easy to be deformed in the structural application. It can be made into the thin-shell structure, insulation sandwich structure, and can also be made up through high-modulus fiber or reinforcement bar.

2. Poor long-term temperature resistance. FRP cannot be used under high temperature for a long time, the strength of polyester FRP decreases obviously when it is above 50℃, and it is generally only used under 100℃. The strength of epoxy FRP decreases obviously above 60℃. High-temperature resistant resins make long - term operating temperature in 200-300℃ is possible.

3. The aging. The phenomenon of aging is a common defect of plastics as well as FRP. Its performance will be reduced because of ultraviolet, wind yarn rain and snow, chemical media, mechanical stress and other factors.

Applications and Key Benefits

Since the mid to late ’s underground large-diameter composite piping has continued to grow in applications and usage. Technological advancements in the filament winding process, corrosion resistance, education and outreach, and strong market forces have contributed to the popularity of fiberglass pipe. Definitions of what constitutes large-diameter pipes can vary, but generally speaking they range from 12” to 14’ in diameter. 

Composite, or fiberglass pipe, has been utilized in a wide range of industries such as power generation, petrochemical and desalination.  Fiberglass pipe is corrosion resistant, has a life cycle that often exceeds 30 years, and has become increasingly more desirable as an alternative to steel, other metal alloys, ductile iron, and concrete.  According to an article published in , titled “Large Diameter Pipe: Lasting Function in a World of Growth” more than 60,000 km (37,280 miles) of composite large diameter pipe are in operation around the world. 

Although fiberglass was once viewed as specialty product, for its ability to withstand an attack from sulphuric acid, it has now become a standard material, if not the standard in major market segments for a variety of reasons.  For example, fiberglass has been employed in drinking water projects, irrigation systems for agriculture, feed lines and penstock for hydroelectric power plants, power plant cooling water systems, gravity and pressure sanitary sewers systems, and pipeline rehabilitation “slip liners”.  Over the past two decades fiberglass has begun to transcend it’s early stereotypes as a one-trick pony (e.g. corrosion resistance) and has demonstrated its value as a cost-effective material, offering a plethora of end-user benefits.

Chief among the reasons for fiberglass increased usage and popularity are key benefits such as high strength-to-weight ratio, dimensional stability, good mechanical properties, ease of installation, reduced installation costs, reduced maintenance cost, and overall durability in extreme conditions. Similarly, another advantage of fiberglass pipe is it has a smoother inner surface when compared to traditional construction materials.  This attribute, smooth internal bore, resists scale-deposits and can create greater flow of service liquid over the life of the project.

When designing an underground large diameter pipe system many considerations need to be taken into account; local soil conditions, depth of water table, burial loads, live loads, deflection due to burial stress and operating temperatures—just to name a few.   Similarly, an American Water Works Association manual, Fiberglass Pipe Manual, also known as M45, provides equations that take into account factors such as fluid velocity and fluid pressure, head loss due to turbulent flow, water hammer, buckling pressure, and surge pressure.  Designing a proper underground piping system is a complex process that involves extensive calculations—product design should always be by qualified engineers.