Glass fiber reinforced plastic (GRP) is a mixture of glass fibers and a plastic matrix that surrounds those glass fibers. Either thermoplastic or thermosetting plastic is used for the matrix, which has an influence on its subsequent use. Thermoplastics are malleable at elevated temperatures, while thermosets can no longer be deformed once they have hardened. The combination of glass fiber and plastic creates a very light and robust material that is used, for example, for a box body - ideal for special vehicle construction.
The production of glass fiber reinforced plastic takes place on ultra-modern flat web systems. These are usually specially adapted to the respective type of GRP. The glass fibers and plastic are finally brought together in a continuous laminating process.
Advantages of glass fiber reinforced plastic
The advantages of glass fiber reinforced plastic are far-reaching. Classic properties such as high durability, low weight and high robustness are attractive for many areas. In addition, custom-made products made of glass fiber reinforced plastic are characterized by the following properties:
- weatherproof
- Temperature resistant
- good thermal insulation
- Chemically resistant
- Corrosion resistant
- Easy to clean and repair
- easy to process
- dimensionally stable
- Can be produced in all colors
- paintable
- printable
Due to these properties, glass fiber reinforced plastic is used in the commercial vehicle industry, in special vehicle construction, in the construction industry and in medicine. A practical example is the box body of fire engines or special vehicle construction in the military. GRP replaces traditional materials such as steel and aluminum in order to combine the individual advantages of these materials. The only disadvantage is the comparatively complex production process, but otherwise it can be assumed that glass fiber reinforced plastic will continue to penetrate into people's everyday lives in addition to the bodywork for special designs.
