Advantages of GFRP

Contents

Introduction
Overview
Fiber Reinforced Plastic (FRP) Characteristics
- Composite Materials
CFRP: The Highest Grade of FRP
Advantages of GFRP
Summary

Introduction

Buzzwords such as FRP, GFRP, CFRP, composites, and weight-saving materials have become common place in today’s general media. While these materials are introduced as strong and lightweight substitutes for metals, the details are often left obscure. In this issue, we’ll take a deeper look at these materials and their advantages.

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.

Fiber Reinforced Plastic (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.

CFRP: The Highest Grade of FRP

Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastics (CFRP), as the name implies, refers to plastics reinforced with carbon fibers. This advanced, lightweight, and strong material is widely adopted in aviation, automobile, sporting equipment, and similar 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.

Advantages of GFRP

So far, we’ve discussed the features of CFRP. But how does it compare to GFRP and what are the differences? Here’s a quick summary.

・Lower material costs

・Excellent insulation properties and radio wave permeability

Both CFRP and GFRP exhibit similar lightweight and strong properties but have different advantages or qualities. Often a product will employ a combination of the two according to specifications.

Summary

Here we discussed FRPs and the advantages of Glass Fiber Reinforced Plastic (GFRP). As a type of FRP, both GFRP and CFRP production processes are essentially the same, except with different types of fiber. Carbon fibers are conductive material and glass fibers are insulative, so their utilization will vary depending on the application. As an advanced material, there is still a lack of available data and information which can make it difficult to wrap one’s head around. Overall, FRPs are acclaimed for their “lightweight, strong, and non-corrosive” advantages.

We hope this has given you a clearer picture of these materials and what to expect.

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

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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