Advantages of GFRP

Contents

Introduction
Overview
FRP Characteristics
- Composite Materials
The Peak of FRPs: Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic (CFRP)
The Advantages of GFRP
Summary

Introduction

Composites, weight-reducing materials, FRP, GFRP, and CFRP, are all terms that we see commonly in today’s media and in various industries and applications. While introduced as lightweight and strong materials that replace metals, there is still a lot of information that is left out. So, what are these materials exactly?

Overview

Fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) refers to plastic polymers that are strengthened with fibers. One such example is Glass Fiber Reinforced Plastic (GFRP) which, as the name implies, is a type of FRP that utilizes glass fibers as the reinforcing agent. The type of fiber used is easily understood by the first letter of the acronym; C stands for carbon, G for glass, and A for aramid. Moreover, as these materials are a composition of reinforcing fibers and resins (plastics), they are typically referred to as composites or composite materials. In this issue, we will delve into the key features and applications of CFRP.

FRP Characteristics

We will begin by discussing composite materials.

Composite Materials

A composite material is a material composed of two or more different materials with properties not obtainable with a single material. Reinforced concrete, for example, is a composite material whereby the concrete is reinforced with steel bars to improve tensile stress. With fiber-reinforced plastics (FRP), the plastic is fortified with carbon fibers and other materials to produce added strength and properties not exhibited in pure plastics, allowing us to create structures that are far lighter and stronger. While the term “composite” is a less familiar technical jargon, the technique that has been around for a long time.

The Peak of FRPs: Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic (CFRP)

No doubt, you have heard the term CFRP. CFRP is an acronym for carbon fiber reinforced plastic and, as the name implies, is a polymer plastic that is reinforced with carbon fibers to achieve exceptionally lightweight and strong properties. These impressive qualities have led to its widespread use in aircraft, automobile, and sporting equipment industries.

Key Characteristics of Carbon Fiber

One-fourth the specific gravity of iron.
Ten times the specific strength of iron.
Seven times the specific modulus of elasticity, compared to iron.

In addition to its renowned “strong, lightweight, and non-corrosive” properties, carbon fiber showcases a range of other features such as X-ray permeability, electrical conductivity, thermal resistance, and low expansion.

The Advantages of GFRP

So far, we have detailed the key features of CFRP, but how does it compare to GFRP and what are differences?

・GFRP material costs are lower!

・GFRP offers superior insulation and electrical conductivity.

While both CFRP and GFRP are lightweight and strong, as they exhibit varying properties, a single project (product) will often utilize a combination of both.

Summary

So far, we discussed the advantages of FRP and glass fiber-reinforced plastics (GFRP). GFRP and CFRP employ essentially the same process, with the only difference being the type of fiber. Carbon fibers are conductive whereas glass fibers are insulative, so the choice of GFRP or CFRP will largely depend on the application. As advanced materials, which are specifically engineered to produce enhanced properties, there is still limited available information and general understanding. In a nutshell, FRPs have distinctive “lightweight, strong, and non-corrosive” properties.

Throughout these issues, we hope to create a bigger and more detailed picture of these materials and what they entail. Thank you for reading and see you next time.

ABOUT UCHIDA - 55 years since our founding

We leverage a wealth of technical expertise as a CFRP molding and processing manufacturer using FRP, GFRP, and CFRP materials. We offer a one-stop solution, encompassing design, analysis, manufacturing, secondary processing, assembly, painting, quality assurance, and testing.

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UCHIDA's equipment

We have cutting-edge equipment to ensure that we can address even the most advanced challenges of our customers.

DMG森精機 - VS1000/40/2050
X軸：2,050mm（ストローク）／ Y軸：1,000mm ／ Z軸：600mm ／テーブル作業面：2,250×1,000mm

ASHIDA MFG Co., Ltd.
Autoclave Oven 2
Size : Ø1,150x1,000mm / Operating temperature : at normal temperature - 400℃ / Design pressure : 2.0Mpa (maximum working pressure) / Vacuum system : back suction system / Vacuum units : 5

ASHIDA MFG Co., Ltd.
Autoclave Oven 3
Size : Ø3,000x6,000mm / Operating temperature : at normal temperature - 200℃ / Distribution accuracy : ±2.5℃less / Heating rate : 4.0℃/min. (empty furnace) / Cooling rate : 4.0℃/min. (empty furnace) / Design pressure : 0.99Mpa (maximum working pressure) / Working pressure : 0.7Mpa less (if no specification from the manufacuturer 0.3Mpa around) / Pressure accuracy : ±0.02Mpa（for pressure setting of ０ - 0.99Mpa/cm²） / Boost pressure accuracy : 0 - 0.03Mpa/min / Pressure source : compressed air (regular use) / Vacuum system : back suction system / Vacuum units : 10

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Oven
Size : W1,000xH1,000xD1,000mm / Temperature range : Environmental Temperature +20 - 300℃ / Temperature elevation capability : Environmental Temperature (20 - 40℃) - 300℃ / 45min less / Vacuum system : back suction system / Vacuum units : 10

ESPEC CORP.
Temperature & Humidity Chamber

INSTRON
Static Universal Testing Machine 5985

Oven
Size : W7,000xH3,000xD2,000mm / Temperature range : Environmental Temperature +20 - 300℃ (Max) / Temperature elevation capability : Environmental Temperature (20 - 40℃) - 300℃ / 60min less / Vacuum system : back suction system / Vacuum units : 10

NEO
X axis : 4,000mm (stroke) / Y axis : 2,000mm / Z axis : 1,200mm / C axis : 0° - ±270° / B axis : 0° - ±110° / Table working place : 4,000x2,000mm

【開発】
3Dプリンター | Markforged

Painting booth
Various painting, and clear finish is done in dedicated painting booth

Adhesion, Finishing, Coating Room
Finishing process, such as trimming, drilling, and bonding, surface treatment of the molded product type and is done in a private booth

Toshiba Matrixeye EX (Ultrasonic flaw detector)
Matrix-Arrey : 32

AMETEK CREAFORM Metra
SCAN750 Elite (3D scan)

Olympus Corp.
Inverted Microscopes

Oven
Size : W450xH450xD450mm / Temperature range : Environmental Temperature +20 - 650℃ / Temperature elevation capability : Environmental Temperature+50 - 650℃/120min less

Cutting Plotter Table working place : W1,500xL3,500mm

SHIMA SEIKI MFG., LTD
Cutting Plotter

KUKA
Robot

Krauss Maffei
Epoxy resin injection machine Resin 60L ／ Hardener 25L

Krauss Maffei
630t Press machine Height total 5,200mm ／ Length max 1,500mm ／ Width max 1,200mm ／ Whole cycle time per component part 240sec

DMG森精機 - NV5000B/40
X軸：1,020mm（ストローク）／ Y軸：510mm ／ Z軸：510mm ／テーブル作業面：1,320×600mm

Big sized clean room
JIS B 9920 cleanliness class maximum concentration (Pcs/m³） / Class 5 : 100,000m³ / Capacity : m² (16,000x16,000mm) 760m² (16,000x16,000x3,000mm) / Temperature and humidity condition : Temperature : 23℃±3℃, Humidity 65% less / Ambient conditions : Temperature 35℃ during summer, Humidity 70% less / Ambient conditions : Temperature 35℃ during summer, Humidity 70% less / Temperature -5℃ during winter, Humidity 40% less