Comparison of FRP Material and Traditional Materials
FRP grating, as the alternative material to traditional materials, including carbon steel grating, aluminum grating and timber, is more and more popular all over the world. It has high strength to weight ratio, anti-corrosion and flame retardant performances, which is widely used as walkways, platforms, stair treads, trench covers, ramps and other applications. In the following chart, we will compare the FRP/GRP material with traditional materials, just refer to them and know more benefits of FRP grating.
GMC-01: FRP grating in platform and stair treads.
GMC-02: Aluminum steel grating in platform and stair treads.
GMC-03: Galvanized steel grating in stair treads and walkway.
GMC-04: Timber material in stair treads applications.
| Compare | FRP/GRP | Steel | Aluminum | Timber |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corrosion Resistance | Excellent. It will never corrode during its long service life. |
Low. It should be painted or galvanized to improve. |
Low. Easy corrosion to galvanic. Anodizing or other coating can improve. |
Lowest. Easy rot and warp in moisture, rain, chemicals. Coating can improve. |
| Weight | Lightest. 80% lighter than steel and 30% lighter than aluminum. |
Extremely heavy. Need heavy lifting gear when installing. |
Lighter. About 1/3 weight of steel. |
Depends. The weight is depend on size and density. |
| Slip Resistance | Excellent. Grit, strip or convex surface contribute to good slip resistance. |
Depends. It has sooth surface for little anti-slip. Some of fabrications can supply this performance. |
Depends. It has sooth surface for little anti-slip. Some of fabrications can supply this performance. |
Little or no. It has no slip resistance performance. |
| Conductivity | Non-conductive. No need earthing |
Electrical conductive. Earthing required. |
Electrical conductive. Earthing required. |
Non-conductive. No need earthing. |
| Strength | High strength-to-weight ratio. stronger than steel. |
High strength. Heavy weight can achieve its high strength property. |
Low strength. | Depends. The weight is depend on size and density. |
| Impact Resistance | High. Will not permanently deform under impact. |
Medium to low. May permanently deform under impact. |
Low. Easily deformed under impact. |
Medium to low. May permanently deform under impact. |
| Fabrication | Easy field fabricated. Just simple carpenter tools and lighter weight for easy operating. |
Complex fabrication. Welding or cutting process. Heavy load is difficult to operate. |
Complex fabrication. Welding, brazing, soldering or mechanical joining required. |
Easily fabricated. Just simple tools, including jigsaws and circular saws. |
| Maintenance | Maintenance free. It need no maintenance during its 50 years lifespan. |
low maintenance. Anti-corrosion treatment make its low maintenance. |
low maintenance. Anti-corrosion treatment make its low maintenance. |
High. It is easy corrosive, so it spends high costs to maintenance. |
| Cost | Low cost. low cost during installation, maintenance and raw material. |
Higher cost. Low in raw material, higher in installation and replace. |
Low cost. Low in both raw material and installation. High replace cost. |
Higher cost. Low in raw material and installation. But maintenance is high. |
| Ergonomic | Good. Slightly elasticity provides comfortable underfoot. |
No. Rigid structure will cause uncomfortable if long time walking. |
No. Rigid structure will cause uncomfortable if long time walking. |
Good. Provides comfortable underfoot. |
| EMI/RFI Transparency | Transparent to EMI/RFI transmission. | Interfere with EMI/RFI transmission. | Interfere with EMI/RFI transmission. | Transparent to EMI/RFI transmission. |
| Aesthetics | Pigments added. Different content pigments added form different colors and transparency. |
Painted or dyed for colors. For beauty as well as good corrosion resistance. |
Painted or dyed for colors. For beauty as well as good corrosion resistance. |
Primed and painted for color. For beauty as well as good corrosion resistance. |