GFRP Glass Epoxy

Contents

Introduction
FRP: Fiber Reinforced Plastic
GFRP: Glass Fiber Reinforced Plastic
CFRP: Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic
Manufacturing Method
Summary

Introduction

FRP, GFRP, and CFRP have become familiar jargon in recent years. But what are these materials and how are they commercialized?

FRP: Fiber Reinforced Plastic

Fiber Reinforced Plastic, or FRP, is a composite material composed of a polymer matrix (resin) and reinforcing fibers. Glass fibers are the most common constituent used for reinforcement.

GFRP: Glass Fiber Reinforced Plastic

As the name suggests, Glass Fiber Reinforced Plastic (GFRP) is a composite material that employs glass fiber to enhance tensile strength and performance. Polyester or epoxy resins are the most common form of resin used as the matrix. The composition of glass fibers and epoxy resin is typically referred to as “glass epoxy”.

Since its advent in the 1940s, GFRP and glass epoxy have been leveraged in many structural and modeling applications due to their high plastic-like form-flexibility and added potential to reduce weight and enhance strength using glass fibers. Car enthusiasts may better imagine it as a material used for aero parts. Both FRP and GFRP refer to composite materials based on glass fibers, so they have almost the same meaning.

CFRP: Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic

Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastics, or CFRP, is a composite material reinforced with carbon fibers. The sleeker design appearance of CFRP coupled with its lighter, stronger, and more rigid properties, compared to glass fibers, has led to its widespread application in aircrafts, automobile exterior components, fishing rods, golf shafts, and similar. In summary, GFRP, CFRP, and FRP are all fiber reinforced plastics of the same family of composites.

The initial letter refers to the type of fiber used; C being carbon, G being glass fibers, and A being aramid fibers. Since CFRPs are composed from a combination of reinforcing fibers and resin (plastic), they are referred to as a “composite” or “composite material”.

Manufacturing Method

CFRP exhibits diverse and impressive qualities. But how is this advanced material produced? While many methods exist, let’s look at the leading method used for CFRP fabrication—autoclave molding.

Summary

While the terms GFRP, FRP, CFRP, and composite are often used interchangeably, there are some key differences. GFRP is considered an advanced composite material despite having a history of use stemming back over 80 years, since its advent. The later development of carbon fibers further expanded potential, leading to the widespread use of CFRP in various fields. The key difference is that GFRP is a relatively inexpensive insulating material, whereas CFRP is an electrically conductive material that demands a higher price. The choice of material depends on the specifications of the application.

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