Application opportunities and challenges of glass fiber and composite materials in the field of infrastructure

Application opportunities and challenges of glass fiber and composite materials in the field of infrastructure

A decade ago, discussions about infrastructure revolved around how much additional money was needed to fix it. But nowadays there is an increasing emphasis on sustainability and durability in projects involving the construction or repair of national roads, bridges, ports, power grids and more.

1.build better bridges

Composites have been used to build more impact-resilient bridges, and bridges built with composites can be designed with more streamlined support structures. Because composite bars are much lighter than steel, fewer trucks are required to transport composite bars (or bridge components made from composite bars) to the jobsite. This reduces carbon dioxide emissions.

2.FRP Bridge Innovation

GFRP (Glass Fiber Reinforced Plastic) tendons are typically made through a pultrusion process that cures as the material is pulled from the device in a straight line.

  Creative Pultrusions,a subsidiary of the Creative Composites Group, has used pultrusion composites to build the world's largest FRP clear span pedestrian bridge over the past two years.

Dustin Troutman, director of marketing and product development, said using prefabs offered safety and cost-saving advantages.

3.Material upgrade

Another material impacting the composite bridge industry is bars made of basalt. “In the composite material family, ECR glass fiber remain the most commonly used fiber type due to their availability and low cost. However, interest in basalt fibers has been growing because of their physical properties surpassing that of glass fibers and the difference in cost Small, basalt fibers have become more competitive as glass fiber prices have risen. Emparanza said the basalt industry doesn't want to compete with glass and carbon fibers, but wants to be part of the total solution that the composites industry can offer.

4.Barriers to promoting the use of composite materials

To get the most from infrastructure charges, the composites industry must continue to communicate its important message to infrastructure stakeholders. "In general, composites have a lot to do with the sustainability or durability of our infrastructure," Emparanza said. "Sadly, we know that climate change is happening, bringing more severe weather events and rising sea levels. So we have to act not only for the present, but also for the future."

Hebei Yuniu Glass Fiber Manufacturing Co., Ltd. is a glass fiber material manufacturer with more than 16 years of experience and 8 years of export experience, which can provide you with high-quality carbon fiber fabrics and other composite materials.

#fiberglass#Glass Fiber#fiberglass composite#ECR glass fiber#Fiberglass ECR Roving