Pultrusion is a manufacturing process used for production of fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) composites. This process effectively combines many elements, which offer a mix of properties and characteristics that can boost efficiency of the final product. Some features of the innovative process include choice of reinforcements and resin, positioning of reinforcements, plus complex shape and length capability.
Pultrusion is a controlled, continuous process that produces consistent quality and materials with these basic steps:
Figure 1
Strength of an FRP composite is controlled by type, content, and alignment of its reinforcements. Glass fibers with high tensile strength are excellent reinforcing materials for FRP structural materials. The pultrusion process enables high content of glass fiber reinforcements to be incorporated within the material to produce parts with high strength to weight.
Pultrusion dies can produce shapes that increase structural properties and offer installation benefits.
For structural composites, it is essential that premium quality resins are used. Pultrusion utilizes resins like isophthalic polyester, vinyl ester, or phenolic. The process enables resin content to be accurately controlled as well as the reinforcing constituent.
As a result, the pultrusion process can produce FRP structural composites that are durable, have high strength to weight, and offer long service life with huge life-cycle cost savings. FRP structural composites manufactured by pultrusion process include:
Effectively designed pultruded composites have long and successful track records in applications with highly corrosive and challenging environments such as:
Each of these applications present unique and challenging conditions that require reliable materials and performance. For additional information and assistance, please contact Enduro Composites, Inc. Our full list of product solutions plus informative case studies are included on our website.
Designed for use as roof purlins and wall girts, 8F6 beams have provided outstanding service and huge, life-cycle cost savings for many clients. This includes metal treatment, salt plants, fertilizer, chemical and food processors, mining, and others.
The continued growth of 8F6 usage is a result of proven performance and efficient design, which incorporates four (4) key factors, which optimize properties and cost efficiency.
Figure 2
As a result of efficient design, 8F6 Beams, at lower weight, carry more load than heavier FRP I-Beams and WF-Beams! As noted in this chart, 8F6 Flanged Tube, at 15% and 30% less weight, has greater load capacity than heavier FRP I-beams and WF Beams for single span conditions. For two span conditions, the 8F6 capacity is even greater.
The 8F6 shape enables easy installation. This video shows 8F6 girts at a steel treatment facility being bolted to primary framing through shop-drilled access holes.
FRP Siding and 8F6 Beam Finished Installation
In addition to 8F6, Enduro Composites offers Flanged Tube Beams in 12” and 18” depths for long span and high load conditions that also require corrosion resistance. As with 8F6, the design for the 12” (12F12) and 18” (18F17) sections optimizes structural properties and cost through innovative use of shape, glass fiber reinforcing, and manufacturing process.
The material’s Isophthalic Polyester or Vinyl Ester resin system provides outstanding corrosion protection and fire-retardant materials with flame spread rating of 25 or less. The combination of corrosion resistance and strength delivers significant end user benefits and life cost savings.
Applications include primary frames for building structures, baffle wall columns, and tank cover support beams. For complete systems, Enduro provides pultruded baffle wall panels and tank cover decking panels.
Enduro Composites also manufactures by pultrusion a complete line of FRP Standard Shapes including beams, channel, angle, tube, rod, and flat plate.
For additional information and assistance, please contact Enduro Composites, Inc. Our full list of product solutions plus informative case studies are included on our website. If the product needed is not shown, please consult our team for the custom product you need.