GLASS FIBER REINFORCED PIPES INTRODUCTION

What is GRP PIPES? Glass Reinforced Pipes (GRP) Pipes are made from glass fiber reinforcements that are embedded in cured thermosetting resin. GRP Pipes may contain aggregate granular.

The selection of proper material as well as material composition depends on the pipe required properties and as well as designed performance characteristics.

GRP pipes were introduced since 1948. Since then GRP invaded the market due to its corrosion resistance capabilities and were selected as alternative to steel and stainless steel pipes.

GRP pipe line expanded to include applications of high pressure, as well as big range of diameters reaching up to 4000 mm.

GRP pipes combine the benefits of durability, strength, and corrosion resistance; moreover, they offer great design flexibility with the possibility to customize the pipe design in a wide range of properties, the same is applicable to providing a wide range of different fittings profile and shape.

Materials:  

GRP pipes consist of:

Glass Fiber Reinforcement: the mechanical strength of GRP pipes depends on the amount, type and arrangement of glass reinforcement.

The common glass types used in the GRP pipes are:

Fiberglass Reinforcements are available in different forms:

Continuous Roving, consisting of bundled, untwisted, strand. It provides excellent mechanical properties.

Fiberglass chopped strand mat, consisting of chopped strands held together with binder. It is used to provide multidirectional reinforcement in pipes as well as fittings

Surface Veil, are of light weight that allow high resin content layers, that helps in improving the environmental resistance of pipes and fittings, in addition to smooth surface.

 

Resins: only thermosetting resins are used in the production of GRP pipes. Thermoset resin are polymeric resin cured by heat or/and chemical additives.

Resins could be of two types:

- Polyester, such as Isophthalic, that is commonly used to manufacture large diameter pipes used for conveying water and sewage. Vinyl ester, is another polyester, but have increased corrosion resistance and is commonly used to convey aggressive fluids such as acids.

- Epoxy resins are commonly used to manufacture small diameter pipes to convey water, hydrocarbons, diluted acids, …

- Additional components might be used in the GRP pipes such as: Silica Sand, Organic Peroxides catalyst, hardeners and accelerators …