Composite is the combination of two components, mainly resin and reinforcing fiber.
In this compound, different types of resin can be used such as: Polyester, for Standard applications, Vinylester, for applications with chemical requirements, Epoxy when high mechanical properties are necessary and Acrylic, when there are fire resistance requirements. Furthermore, there are different types of reinforcing fibers; the most used are glass fibers, but also carbon fibers when the structural requirements are high.
In addition, the composite can incorporate other materials such as additives, fillers and pigments, which are used to achieve different properties such as resistance to UV rays, fire resistance, or a specific color.
Pultrusion is an automated continuous production process of profiles reinforced with fiberglass, that allows manufacture any type of longitudinal profile with a good finished surface.
In the pultrusion process, the fibers are impregnated with thermosetting resin that reacts chemically when heat is applied. The polymerization and curing process is carried out inside a closed mould whose internal geometry will give the desired shape to the profile.
| MATERIAL | SPECIFIC WEIGHT | TENSILE STRENGTH | ELASTIC MODULE | COEFFICIENT OF THERMAL EXPANSION | THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY |
| [g/cm 3 ] | [MPa] | [GPa] | [K -1] | [W/mK] | |
| WOOD | 0.7 | 80 | 12 | 14 x 10 -6 | 0.1 |
| PVC | 1.4 | 70 | 3 | 85 x 10 -6 | 0.1 |
| GFRP | 1.8 | 400 | 26 | 11 x 10 -6 | 0.3 |
| ALUMINIUM | 2.7 | 250 | 70 | 23 x 10 -6 | 170 |
| STEEL | 7.8 | 400 | 210 | 12 x 10 -6 | 40 |
Highly resistant to weather and aggressive environments
Pultrusion profiles do not rust or corrode
Durable material even outdoors
Stable, thermal variations do not affect it
High mechanical properties
Flexible materials
The composite’s weight is 4 times less than steel, making it easier to assemble
Dielectric material
Low conductivity
Transparent to electromagnetic waves
Does not generate interference to radio frequency waves
The pultrusion process allows the manufacture of profiles with complex geometries, making easy the profiles’ customization
Possibility to meet fire and smoke demanding standards
| PHYSICAL PROPERTIES | VALUE | UNITS | |
| Specific weight | 1,8 - 2,0 | gr / cm3 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glass content | 45 - 80 | % | |
| Water absorption | < 1 % | Weight | |
| MECHANICAL PROPERTIES | VALUE | UNITS | |
| Barcol Hardness | > 40 | --- | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notched IZOD Impact | > 200 | kj / m2 | |
| Longitudinal | Transversal | ||
| Tensile Strength | 200 - 550 | 10 - 70 | MPa |
| Flexural Strength | 170 - 240 | 10 - 70 | MPa |
| Compressive Strength | 170 - 450 | 10 - 70 | MPa |
| Tensile Modulus | 20.000 - 42.000 | 6.000 - 12.000 | MPa |
| Compressive Modulus | 25.000 - 39.000 | 8.000 - 16.000 | MPa |
| Flexural Modulus | 23.000 - 43.000 | 7.000 - 18.000 | MPa |
| Elongation at break | 1,5 - 2 | % | |
| ELECTRICAL AND THERMAL PROPERTIES | VALUE | UNITS | |
| Dielectric Strength | 4 - 9 | kV / cm3 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dielectric Constant at 50 Hz | 4 - 6 | --- | |
| Superior Insulation Resistence | 1010 / 1013 | Ω | |
| Thermal Conductivity | 0.2 - 0.6 | W / (k·m) | |
| Specific Heat | 1,0 - 1,2 | kJ / (kg · K) | |
| Coefficient of Linear expansion | 12 - 17 | 1/ ºC · 10-6 | |
| Temperature Resistance | -100 / 155 | ºC | |
| Critical temperature under load | >200 | ºC | |
The compound’s composition adapts to the use and/or destination of the profile, meeting the most demanding fire and smoke standards.
There is a wide variety of fire and smoke standards, depending on the use and/or destination of the pultrusion profile.
The results get by our fiberglass profiles are:
| NORMATIVE | LABORATORY TESTS | |
| Euroclases | UNE EN 13501-1:2007 | Bs2d0 |
|---|---|---|
| EN 45545 | EN 45545 | HL2, HL3 |
| FSI Index SD Index Classification |
ASTM E 84 | <25 <450 Class 1 |
| Reaction to fire | NF F 16.101 | M1 M2 |
| Reaction to fire | UNE EN 23727:1990 | M1 M2 |
| Fire test | BS 476: Part 7:1997 | Class 2 |
| Smoke Density Test Smoke Tixicity Test Classification |
BS 6853: 1999 Annex D.8.6 BS 6853: 1999 Annex B.2 |
Ao (max)=183 R(max)=0.42 Ia |
| Spread of fire | ASTM E 162 | ls=10 ls=35 |
| Smoke Density | ASTM E 662 | With the pilot flame: D (1.5) = 0,17 D (4.0) = 5,28 Flameless: D (1.5) = 0,00 D (4.0) = 1,15 D (max) = 206,17 |
| Toxic gas concentration | BSS 7239 | Average (mg/m3): CO = 24,34 SO2 = 0 HCI = 0.21 HF = 0.03 HCN = 0 NBr = 0 NOx = 0 |
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TECNIPUL SL is engaged to the manufacture of Glass-Fiber Reinforced Plastic (GRP) profiles using the pultrusion method, both of our own design and of our customer’s one.
