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Metal gratings vs fibreglass GRP gratings

Metal gratings vs fibreglass GRP gratings

METAL GRATINGS VS FIBREGLASS OR GRP GRATINGS: Comparison

EUROGRATE® has chosen to use fibreglass as a material over metal due to its numerous advantages:

Metal Gratings (or similar)
Economic benefits
yet often incur unexpected additional costs

• Safety-related costs:
  due to inadequate slip-resistance of metal gratings when encountering water, grease, oil, ice, etc.
  Disadvantages: increased accidents at work, injury risks to personnel, and a consequential decline in company profitability;
• maintenance costs and poor chemical resistance:
  accelerated corrosion even with minimal chemical exposure, resulting in the need for frequent replacements;
  if the grating becomes bent, it must be replaced;
• Labor costs for installation and transport:
  the heaviness of metal gratings—which can be three times heavier than fibreglass—demands more physical effort and the use of lifting equipment for installation and movement, thereby contributing negatively to transportation expenses;
  New legal requirements mandating earthing further escalate installation costs for metal, in addition to labor and transport expenses;
• shaping, cutting, and drilling costs:
  metal grating's anisotropic nature necessitates edge banding, a cost-increasing process since once banded, galvanizing is needed to prevent rusting.

Fibreglass gratings (or GRP)
A wise investment that endures
through years of service following installation

• Long-lasting corrosion resistance:
  even in severe conditions, including immersion or prolonged contact with aggressive materials like sulphuric or hydrochloric acid;
• comparable mechanical strength to metal:
  its modulus of elasticity allows it to withstand significant bending without permanent deformation.
  Its isotropic nature facilitates installation in either load-bearing direction.
• Enhanced safety is assured:
  even under extreme conditions (grease, oil, or wax) guaranteed by a special anti-slip surface meeting DIN standard class R13-V10.
• Lightweight, easy to install and remove, easy to move;
• Zero maintenance, easily cut and shaped:
  fibreglass gratings do not require edge banding unlike metal grates;
• ergonomic benefits: increased profitability
  helps reduce back pain typically experienced by staff traversing or standing on gratings, leading to heightened profitability;
• insulating and non-magnetic properties:
  excellent thermal and electrical insulation with no earthing needed (antistatic and conductive options available upon request);
• self-extinguishing resin properties with low toxicity of halogen-free fumes:
  ensuring maximum safety in all settings and protection for personnel during fires.
• Discover more about the benefits of fibreglass gratings!

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF METAL GRATINGS AND GRP GRATINGS:

The Purpose of Glass Reinforced Plastic Grille

Glass fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) grille, often referred to as glass steel grid plate, is made from glass fiber reinforced material with unsaturated polyester resin as the matrix. Following specific processes, these composite materials exhibit vast space. The glass steel grid plate embodies benefits such as lightweight, corrosion resistance, ease of installation, and safe use. It finds extensive applications across urban construction, chemical processes, power plants, paper industries, marine exploration, sewage treatment, and more, serving roles including working platforms, equipment platforms, drilling platforms, corridors, etc. FRP grille is suited as a flooring structure, trench coverings, platforms, ship decks, stairs, and trestles amidst corrosive environments. With exceptional properties of corrosion resistance, flame retardant quality, no magnetic insulation, vibrant colors, and a variety of styles and forms, the grille is crafted with a crisscross pattern of glass fiber and resin infused and molded together. The grille plate consists of regular rectangular and square spaces, possessing bidirectional homogeneity in mechanical properties.

 

The Advantages of FRP Grating

· Corrosion resistance: It offers remarkable resistance to acids, alkalis, organic solvents, salts, and numerous gases and liquids, presenting unmatched advantages in corrosion mitigation. Depending on actual use requirements, options like o-benzene, m-benzene, or vinyl resins can be economically selected as the matrix material.

· Lightweight yet robust: The density of fiberglass grating is no more than 2, around 1/4 that of steel and 2/3 of aluminum. Its strength exceeds that of rigid PVC by tenfold and surpasses that of aluminum and standard steel.

· Aging resistant: Service life exceeds 50 years.

· Flame retardant: The flame propagation rate of standard flame retardant grille (per ASTM E-84) should not exceed 25; more advanced flame retardant vinyl grilles should not exceed 10. Oxygen index not below 28 (GB).

· Safety: Excellent electrical insulation, no failures under 10KV voltage; Non-electromagnetic, suitable for use with magnetically sensitive equipment; The unique structure of FRP grating additionally offers anti-slip and anti-fatigue properties.

· Easy installation: This product is exceptionally straightforward to install, reducing workers' intensity and eliminating the need for lifting equipment.

· Overall economic benefits: While FRP grating has a higher upfront cost than regular carbon steel, its longevity and lack of maintenance lead to significantly lower comprehensive costs over time—typically over twenty years of service.

The Disadvantages of FRP Grating

Technically, it has only one major drawback, a common issue among FRP products: it lacks recycling value. Despite almost perfect performance characteristics, reuse poses challenges. Recognizing its advantages and disadvantages allows us to transform this drawback into an asset. For instance, using FRP grille boards for urban greening as tree grates can naturally turn the lack of value into a benefit. Furthermore, fiberglass reinforced plastic is widely utilized as vehicle wash gratings.

 

Shengfei Product Page

Further Reading:
Why does rubber change color?

Application of FRP Grating

The Advantages of Installing Fiberglass Stair Treads

· Water treatment: for maintenance walkways, drain covers, large containers, washers, traps, flumes, tools for biological wastewater treatment pools, ventilation windows, stairs, cooling tower operating platforms;

· Chemical plants: stairs, operating platforms, guardrails, double floors, trench covers, filter grids;

· Petroleum industry: Offshore oil platforms;

· Textile factories: replacing metal grilles, wooden platforms and concrete floors, adjacent to dyeing tanks, floors next to valves, etc.;

· Power plants: chemical water workshop trench covers, wastewater pools, etc.;

· Metal surface treatment: substitutes wood flooring around machinery, around highly corrosive containers, electroplating line walkways, double floors;

· Marine food processing plants: for harsh environments, smooth surfaces, ships;

· Transportation: platforms, ship decks, walkways, military minesweeper decks, stair decks;

· Beverage industries: stair flooring, replacing expensive stainless steel, loading floors;

· Pulp and paper processing: stair systems and flooring, high humidity areas;

· Electronics industry: trench covers, pickling workshops, anti-static (anti-static grates) in high cleanliness environments;

· Meat processing facilities: flooring, stairs, greasy work surfaces with frequent corrosion;

· Car wash/vehicle detailing: drainage boards, parking areas, car wash trenches;

· Cranes: 3-meter or 6-meter crane walkways;

· Other applications: corrosion-resistant shelves, decorative features, square fountains, scaffolding, civil construction facilities, aquaculture fencing, and double floors, etc.

 

 

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