What is Glass-reinforced Plastic?

Glass-reinforced plastic, otherwise known as GRP or fiberglass, is an artificially made material composed of a plastic base, usually epoxy, thermoplastic or polyester, mixed with thin glass fibers for added strength. It is exceptionally durable and lightweight. Their similarities often result in comparisons between carbon fiber and fiberglass. The former has a better strength-toweight ratio but the latter is less brittle and can be manufactured at significantly less cost. It was discovered in 1932 when a researcher inadvertently directed compressed air at molten glass. Glass fibers were produced, and the rest was history.<br Due to its low weight and high tensile strength, fiber glass became an ideal material for aircrafts which strive to be as light as possible while maintaining their rigidity in the face or turbulence and wind resistance. Its use in aircrafts is also partly due to its permeability to radio frequency waves used by the onboard communications equipment. In fact, this property is the reason why fiberglass is frequently used for antennas. Speedboats employ this material as well for their shells and other parts. High end sports cars have always been partial to fiberglass to decrease overall weight which, when paired with a roaring engine, results in blazing speeds. However, carbon fiber's superior properties are creating a shift in material preference. Fiberglass is weather resistant which makes it suitable for use in exposed areas like roofs, canopies, front door sidings and a host of similar applications. It can even be made into thin panels that serve as wall insulators for temperature regulation. There are also fiberglass bricks for building long-lasting composite houses that can withstand all types of harsh weather conditions. As for the house interior, this material is often employed for pipes and gas pipes as it does not get easily corroded unlike common metals. Health Concerns The public is warned against inhaling glass fiber from cutting or sanding as these particles may cause cancer. Although this has not been proven conclusively, studies with animals exposed to the substance as well as factory workers show a large probability of causation. Exposure often leads to the irritation of the skin, eyes, nose, throat and lungs. Coughing may follow and the person may find it hard to breathe normally. GRP is water resistant but water beads and dust can cling to its surface which may lead to mold growth. If this happens, the fiberglass panel should immediately be removed to prevent further damage. More Ideas: http://www.grp.co.uk/ http://www.justice.gov.uk/tribunals/gender-recognition-panel http://www.captrad.com/ http://www.reinforcedplastics.com