Fibre-reinforced plastics pipes

Testing of glass fibre reinforced plastics pipes - Flattening endurance test on pipes... 

The mechanical strength and operating temperature of plastics are low compared with that of metals. The mechanical strength, and other properties, can be modified by the addition of fillers and plasticisers. When reinforced with glass or carbon fibres thermosetting plastics can have a strength equivalent to mild steel, and are used for pressure vessels and pressure piping. Unlike metals, plastics are flammable. Plastics can... 

Plastics and rubbers occur most frequently as conveyor belts and straps as well as in cables and pipes. Ventilating conduits and chutes are made of glass-fibre-reinforced polyester. In addition, in-situ expanded rigid polyurethanes have recently been gaining ground as thermal insulating materials. 

Reinforced polyesters have been widely used in the boat building industry since the early sixties. Most yachts and power boats are now made of polyester resins and glass fibre. Reinforced polyester plastics are also widely used in pipe and container structures, owing to their good chemical and corrosion resistance. Polyesters have increased their role in vehicle and transportation equipment production, where many parts previously manufactured from metal have been replaced with components produced from reinforced plastics. 

There is increasing interest in hose forms of construction as a route to manufacturing reinforced thermoplastic pipes (RTP) on a continuous production basis. The most widely used high pressure hoses are composite structures intended to create a flexible, tubular connection within high-pressure fluid systems. The pressure containment is achieved by incorporating textile fibres or steel wires which can carry high stresses whilst the elastomeric or plastic components essentially protect the fibre or wire structures and act as a seal against fluid permeation. 

ISO 7370 1983 Glass fibre reinforced thermosetting plastics (GRP) pipes and fittings -Nominal diameters, specified diameters and standard lengths. 

The application of lignocellulosic fibres in reinforcing plastics has been known for a long time. As early as 1908 the first composite materials were applied for the production of large quantities of sheets, tubes and pipes for electronic purposes (paper or cotton to reinforce sheets, made of phenol or melamine formaldehyde resins). In 1896, aeroplane seats and fuel tanks were made of natural fibres with a small amount of polymeric binder [1],... 

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