Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

A: The principle of using two or more different materials to enhance or change the merged properties is not new. Ancient people used composite technology when they used mud and straw to make building bricks. Today’s technologies let us use this basic understanding to enhance our lifestyle with a wide spectrum of products. Composites are an integral part of every facet of our daily lives from recreation equipment (golf clubs) and transportation (auto parts and transit buses), to architectural facades and containment storage of corrosive chemicals and materials. The composite industry is a dynamic one, there are always new types of resin systems and reinforcements to advance the applications for composites. Because of their advanced properties and key attributes, being both lighter and stronger than most metals as well as corrosion resistant, composites are now the building blocks of the future.

A: There are several reasons why FRP should be considered:

n Possess exceptional strength

n Possess exceptional chemical resistance

n Very high strength to weight ratios (Higher than steel)

n Easily altered or repaired

n Costs less than most stainless steels

n As light as aluminum

n Costs little to maintain

n Can be purchased with a short lead time

n Easily molded into many different shapes

A: At the start of the fiberglass industrial era (1950-1960) a majority of fabricators were producing products in all or several of the FRP fields. As the industry advanced and new production techniques and advanced materials were developed, the surviving companies tended to move toward one of two of the specific branches of the FRP industry. These branches are:

n Marine (Boat Builders and Marine Docks)

n Tub and Spa (Sinks, Tubs, Pools and Spa)

n Architectural (Buildings and Building Facades)

n Transportation (Truck Campers, Mass Transit Parts and Auto Parts)

n Corrosion (Tanks, Duct, Chemical Storage and Handling)

Although the basic technology is the same, the production equipment, tooling and experience with specialized materials might make it difficult for a tub and spa manufacturer to build a 10,000 gallon chemical storage tank.

A: There are several methods of fabrication for a vessel in the corrosion industry. The two most widely used fabrication techniques are Contact Molding (hand lay-up and spay-up) and Filament Winding. There are several other lamination methods such as Centrifugal Casting, Vacuum Forming and Compression Molding but these aren’t as widely used in the corrosion field. Contact molded tanks are covered by the ASTM D 4097 Standard, while filament wound tanks are under the ASTM D 3299 Standard. Both methods will provide a serviceable vessel for most environments.

A: There are several companies that make a vast number of resins. Each of these resins will have a cost based on the specific requirements of the end product. Resins have been developed to withstand most corrosive environments, have either flexible or rigid properties, and several have capabilities to maintain a low smoke and flame spread. The selection of the most cost efficient resin for a specific job should only be determined when the facts of the chemical environment are known (chemical concentration, temperature and pressure). This should be done between the end user, the fabricator and in some cases the resin manufacturer.

A: The production of a quality product is the essence of all industries and the composite (fiberglass) industry is no exception. Since the early years of composite fabrication, standards existed for the corrosion fabricators. One of the earliest was the PS 15-69 (Custom Contact-Molded Reinforced-Polyester Chemical-Resistant Process Equipment) which was published by the US Department of Commerce’s National Bureau of Standards. This is still the current standard for vertical non-pressurized cylindrical tanks and all fiberglass duct and pipe. ASTM C 582 (Contact-Molded Reinforced Thermosetting Plastic (RTP) Laminates for Corrosion Resistant Equipment), ASSTM D 4097 (Contact-Molded Glass-Fiber-Reinforced Thermoset Resin Chemical-Resistant Tanks) and ASME/ANSI RTP-1 (Reinforced Thermoset Plastic Corrosion Resistant Equipment) are three other standards that are commonly used in the manufacture of FRP tanks, duct, pipe and equipment. Other standards exist such as ASTM D 2563 (Classifying Visual Defects in Glass-Reinforced Plastic Laminate Parts) and ASTM D 2583 (Indentation Hardness of Rigid Plastics by means of a Barcol Impressor) for quality control. These, in conjunction with other specific standards should be used to ensure quality products.

A: With forty-five years of quality craftsmanship and experience in the composites industry, Empire Fibreglass Products, Inc. has both the knowledge and skills to successfully complete any FRP job. Our knowledgeable staff and workforce closely monitor all of the design and labor elements from start to finish to ensure quality and consistency. Currently, Empire Fibreglass has evolved into three production divisions (a corrosion, assembly, and spray up, lite RTM division), as well as a Field Service crew. As we work with you to perfect your design and build a superior product, you can be sure that your FRP needs will not only be met, but exceeded far beyond what you expect.