FRP Benefits

Fibergrate fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP) products are known for their ability to provide corrosion resistance in the harshest environments and chemical exposures. Unlike metal and wood, FRP products will not rust or corrode and will continue to maintain structural integrity over time.

Fibergrate offers the widest selection of resin formulations for products, each specifically developed to solve specific environmental and performance requirements. Check out Fibergrate’s Chemical Resistance Guide to help you choose the best Fibergrate resin for your application's environment.

The durability and corrosion resistance of Fibergrate FRP molded and pultruded gratings and other products reduce or eliminate the need for heavy maintenance like sandblasting, scraping and painting. In fact, most Fibergrate products are easily cleaned with a high-pressure washer.

Fibergrate’s molded and pultruded gratings and stairway products provide superior, slip resistant footing in wet and oily environments. Steel becomes slippery when oily or wet, but Fibergrate gratings have a higher friction factor and remain safe even when wet. Fibergrate’s slip resistant products increase safety for workers which will lead to fewer workplace accidents and a reduction of injury-associated costs.

Fibergrate products provide outstanding durability and corrosion resistance in demanding applications, providing improved product life over traditional materials. The longevity of Fibergrate products provide cost savings over the product’s life cycle. Installed costs are less because of the ease of installation. Maintenance expenses reduce because there is less downtime in areas requiring maintenance, and the costs of removing, disposing, and replacing the corroded steel grating is eliminated.

Steel installation can be time consuming and equipment intensive. Fibergrate products can be easily and quickly cut with ordinary hand tools. Welding or hot work is not necessary with FRP. Fibergrate fiberglass gratings are lightweight and can be installed easily with bolts and clips. Installation of FRP material can be done without using heavy equipment and machinery, requiring less manpower.

Fibergrate FRP has a high strength-to-weight ratio when compared to traditional materials like metal, concrete and wood. FRP gratings can be designed to be strong enough to carry vehicular loads while still being less than one-half the weight of steel grating.

Fibergrate FRP can withstand major impacts with negligible damage. Fibergrate offers extremely durable gratings to satisfy even the most stringent impact requirements. Check out this drop test video to see just how durable Fibergrate molded gratings are!

The lightweight properties of Fibergrate FRP result in products that weigh considerably less than steel. The density of steel is four times higher than that of FRP, and steel gratings are two to two-and-a-half times heavier than FRP gratings. FRP’s lighter weight allows easy removal for access below floor level. The reduction in weight that Fibergrate products provide can save on material transit costs and installation costs.

Fibergrate FRP is electrically non-conductive leading to increased safety compared to conductive materials (i.e., metal). FRP also has low thermal conductivity (heat transfer occurs at a lower rate), resulting in a more comfortable product surface when physical contact occurs.

Most Fibergrate products are engineered to have a flame spread of 25 or less as tested in accordance with ASTM E-84. They also meet the self-extinguishing requirements of ASTM D-635.

The properties of Fibergrate's FRP materials create flexible products that can sometimes “cushion” worker movement, easing strain on workers’ muscles and creating a more comfortable working surface. The ergonomic features of Fibergrate products, such as the Safe-T-Stand® work platform, can help to reduce worker fatigue and increase productivity. Read more about industrial ergonomics here.

Fibergrate’s fiberglass gratings and profiles are formulated for maximum UV resistance. A special coating is also available for increased UV resistance on Fibergrate’s Dynarail® railing and ladder systems. Click here to learn more about UV performance of Fibergrate molded gratings.

For more information on the benefits of Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic, visit the ACMA's CompositesLab.