MOULDED FRP MANUFACTURING PROCESS

Liquid resin and continuous fiberglass rovings are sytematically laid in a mould, layer after layer to produce the desired thickness and panel dimensions. The finished moulds are then set aside to cure. The one-piece interwoven mesh construction of moulded fiberglass grating produces a product with optimal corrosion resistance and bi-directional strength. Since the fiberglass grating is "cast" in one piece, there is no mechanical joint between bearing bars. The high percentage of resin (65%) in moulded fiberglass grating offers superior corrosion resistance and optimal impact resistance. Moulded fiberglass gratings with a square mesh pattern offer increased load capacity and panel utilization due to its bi-directional trait. Being of one-piece construction, the fiberglass grating distributes loads throughout the fiberglass grating section.

ADVANTAGES OF FRP MOULDED GRATING

• Light weight
• Chemical corrosion resistance
• Non sparking
• Non electrically conductive
• Non magnetic
• Tapered bars all debris to easily fall through
• Standard mesh has a 70% open area
• Mini Mesh has a 45% open area

FRP GRATING PATTERNS

FRP Grating is available in two pattern types (stocked)

STANDARD MESH

38X38MM centre to centre

MINI MESH

19x19mm centre to centre

COMMONLY STOCKED FRP GRATING TYPES

Table above shows the FRP grating products that are commonly stocked.  Other combinations of type, resin, surface and colour that are not stated above are available but are manufactured to order.

STANDARD SHEET SIZES

FRP grating comes in one standard sheet size 1220x3660mm ex stock.  Other sheet sizes are available but are manufactured to order,  For non standard panel sizes please call Steel Grating Ltd to discuss what options are availalbe to suit your requirements.

CUTTING TO SIZE

In addition to supplying stock sheets we can also cut FRP grating to the shapes and sizes you require along with any cut outs or penetrations.

TOP SURFACE

FRP grating comes standard with two different surfaces for slip resistance.

• Grit top surface
• Concave top surface

RESIN SELECTION

Isophthalic Polyester (Type I) - Industrial grade resin great for environments where fiberglass grating may occasionally be in contact with harsh chemicals due to splashes or spills.

Vinyl Ester (Type V) - Developed to withstand frequent and direct contact in the harshest of chemical environments.  Type V is ideal for use in acidic and caustic environments.

FLAME SPREAD RATING

Isophthalicpolyester resin and Vinyl ester resin have an ASTM-E84 fire class rating of class1, 25 or less.

Phenolic (Type P) - Best choice for applications where fire resitance, low smoke and low toxic fume emissions are critical.  Penolic resin grating is not stocked but available to order. Please contact Steel Grating Ltd to discuss the availability of phenolic resin grating.  Please note: Phenolic resign grating is only available in a reddish brown colour.

Please contact Steel Grating for any non standard resin types, surfaces and colours.

*(SM) denotes standard mesh, (MM)  denotes mini mesh profile.

HOW TO SPECIFY/ORDER FRP GRATING

• Designate that you require FRP grating by putting FRP at the start of the code.
• Designate the thickness of FRPgrating: 25mm, 32mm or 38mm.
• Designate whether you require standard or mimimesh grating
  • 38x38mm Standard Mesh is denoted by SM
  • 19x19 Mini Mesh is denoted by MM

DESIGNATE RESIN TYPE

• I= Isophthalic polyester resin or
• V= Vinyl ester resin

FOLLOWED BY SURFACE FINISH

• G= Grit top surface
• C= Concave top surface

THEN FINALLY COLOUR

• Y= Yellow
• G= Green
• L= Light grey
• D= Dark grey

EXAMPLE FOR ORDERING / SPECIFYING FRP GRATING

FRP25 SM IGG - FRP grating 25mm thick, 38x38mm Standard Mesh, Isophthalic polyester resin, Grit top surface, Green in colour.

FRP32 SM ICY - FRP grating 32mm thick, 38x38mm Standard Mesh, Isophthalic polyester resin, Concave top surface, Yellow in colour

MAX- Temperature for Isophthalic polyester 71°C / Vinyl Ester 85°C

C - Continuous exposure of the grating to the temperature and chemical environment listed above

F - Frequent exposure of the grating to splashes and spills to the temperature and chemical environment listed above

I - Infrequent exposure of the grating to splashes and spills to the temperature and chemical environment listed above with the spill being immediately cleaned up / washed from grating.

N - Not recommended for the temperatures and concentrations listed above

The corrosion data listed above is for general information only. Resin Manufacturers have provided test data that indicates that the specific resin can withstand the corrosion conditions listed.  Steel Grating Ltd believes this information to be true and correct.  In certain cases testing for specific environments is recommended.

Cutting: FRP grating can be cut with a variety of different cutting tools.  For best results we recommend a heavy duty rotary saw with a masonry, carbide or diamond tip blade.  Make sure that the grating is on a steady and even surface to help prevent shifting or moving of the grating that can cause chipping of the grating surface. Please ensure you wear gloves, full length overalls, a face shield and a dust mask when cutting FRP grating.  Always cut FRP grating in a well ventilated area or where mechanical extraction of the dust particles is available.

Finishing: All cut surfaces should be coated with resin to prevent corrosion of the glass fibres,  A coating of a two part resin or comparable to the resin used to manufacture the grating should be used.

APPEARANCE OF FRP GRATING:

Unlike traditional Steel and Aluminium grating when FRP grates are cut they do not have a banding bar welded to the cut edges (the cut edge becomes the finished edge).  Where possilble to make FRP grating look neat and presentable we recommend that any sheets cut to size along with cut outs or penetrations be made to the nearest whole square dimension.  This prevents any grates with open ends or fingers as we call them.  This is not always practical but with enough forward planning this can be achieved.

Stainless steel "M" Clips:

M clips are designed to clamp two of the FRP grating load bars to the supporting member.  This provides excellent holding capacity as it restrains movement in both directions. "M" clips are available for both Standard and Minimesh grating.

Stainless steel "C" Clips

C Clips are designed to hold two grating panels together to minimise differential deflections when their joints fall between supports.  The low nut is secured to the bottom of the clips so these can be installed from the top side of the grating.  C Clips are available for standard mesh grating only and are designed for 25mm and 38mm thick FRP grating.

*the Recommended Minimum Support for FRP grating is 40 mm.