GRP Processes

Posted on May 9, 2012 by Tony

If you are starting down the road of a new project it’s good to have an idea about materials from the start. If you idea or design is going to need to be colourful, stylish, and weather resistant you’re limited to only a few key tough materials. It’s clear where this is going, but you should seriously consider the benefits of using glass reinforced plastic (GRP) for you project.

GRP is often overlooked and ignored, but its offers extremly high levels of corrosion resistance, and boasts considerably long life-expectancy rates when compared with the plethera of possibilities. Using construction as the easiest example, the most common external materials are Wood, metals and stone. Now wood and stone have both been used all over the world for centuries. Wood is easy to procure, and offers great craftinng possibilies and strenght. Stone is much stronger, and with all the varieties available represents a cost and most of all has significant wieght. Metals are also very expensive, and many varieties even when stainless can often discolour in the extreme weather of Europe. All have weakness that can compromise their longevity in a more pronounced way than GRP. For the benefits of these materials, GRP has the edge on many in multiple applications. Mainly;

  • Relative light weight. Although heavier than wood, GRP can emulate any surface usually at significant weight reduction.
  • Durability and resistance, Modern resins that make up GRP can last for decades without fading or ageing. Resistance against Ultra violet light, extreme environments, and inert properties to many chemicals among other things are all integrated into modern GRP products from the start of manufacture.

For these reasons, and it’s ability to take on virtually any shape with striking bold surfaces it is a popular choice when designers are selecting a material for their product that will be used in a wide variety of environments.

As well as this, it can also be beneficial in situations in which noise needs to be contained. Various types of sound deadening material can be laminated in between high-strength layers of fibreglass matt to achieve the necessary level of noise suppression.

In addition to all of this, GRP offers a considerable amount of dimensional stability and undergoes a lesser degree of expansion and contraction when compared with other materials.

This compares with wood and metal, which can be particularly affected by changes in temperature and humidity, warping and sometimes weakening as a result.

So whether you are looking for a material for a boat, outdoor construction, chemical storage solution or any other potentially harsh environment, GRP may be the perfect option for you and, because of its design flexibility, you will not have to break the bank to make the most of it. GRP solutions have decades of experience to help your project off the ground, or to kick your quality of production up a gear.  Enquire today.

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GRP for Leisure

Posted on April 27, 2012 by Tony

Fibreglass as you probably already know has lots of uses. It covers a large spectrum of applications from the hard wearing industrial applications including non slip floors and protective enclosures; to bueatufil art pieces which could be seen at any modern art festivals. One of it’s classic uses is int he world of leisure. Not just restricted to novelty mouldings of scenery and animals GRP plays a vital role in all things water. Every water park and “get you soaked” ride you been or seen has large sections of GRP built into it’s structure.
Log Flume, Water park ride Manufacture

GRP is chosen for multiple reasons, but it’s great water resistance, and smooth curves promote a hardworking solution for the leisure industry.

For water flumes in pools and themed water parks surfaces need to be extremely smooth as it’s bareskin sliding over it’s twists and turns. Additionally, edges need to be perfectly aligned as bad connections can cause sever discomfort for the excited participant.

GRP Solutions have years of experience with dealing with large companies like Aqua leisure, Lego, and other famous European theme parks. You can see much more on our specialist GRP page, where we have case studies on log flume manufacture and water slide manufacture As our solutions in glass fibre are bespoke and expertly engineered, we can specifically manufacture fibreglass moulds and mouldings prefect for your needs.

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Glass and it’s Fibres

Posted on April 10, 2012 by Tony

Glass is an amazing material. Scientifically glass is a non crystalline transparent solid, and is brittle by nature. In the real world, “Glass” refers to a much broader range of materials, including the classic silicon based glass and modern plastics such as poly-carbonate. For thousands of years it filled a manufacturing niche that nothing else could. Unlike the dried gourds and leather bladders that our ancestors used to keep water in, unbroken glass never leaked. Where clay pots needed thick, heavy walls, even a thin-walled glass bottle was entirely waterproof. It was the only perfectly transparent material and allowed us to develop houses and buildings with windows that let the light in but kept the outdoors just that – outdoors.Example of Modern GRP mouldings

It could be blown into a variety of wonderful shapes, allowing equipment to be developed for the science of chemistry, which, without glass products, could never have made the gains that it has. Along with better understanding of the sciences came better medicines, thousands of useful chemicals that we take for granted today, and the ability to manufacture all kinds of new and wholly synthetic materials. Without glass pipettes, flasks, tubing and condensers, chemistry would never have brought us plastics and GRP moulding.

There are two main problems with glass as a material. On its own (not as fibre in glass reinforced plastic), it may shatter. Not only does this mean the product breaks and needs to be replaced, glass fragments can also be dangerous in their own right. The edges of shattered glass pieces can be incredibly sharp, as we have all experienced at least once or twice. It also needs to be heated to a very high temperature before it can be moulded. Glass reinforced plastic avoids both of these problems. GRP moulding can be made in any shape very easily.

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Choices with Composites

Posted on March 22, 2012 by Tony

If you’re in the process of planning a project that requires strong materials, you may be positively surprised to hear that GRP is incredibly strong, and that you could benefit from using glass reinforced plastic (GRP).

The substance is non-corrosive and has a considerably longer life-expectancy when compared with a variety of other products used in construction. Wood, plastic and metal, for example, all have weakness that can compromise their longevity in a more pronounced way than GRP.

For this reason, it is a popular choice when designers are selecting a product that will be used in harsh environments. One of its traits is that it can provide protection from ultra violet light, a variety of chemicals, extreme temperatures and salt air, among other things.

Indeed, half a century after they came into use, some of the first objects crafted from the material are yet to wear out, which may bode well for those considering investing in it.

Because of the inherent qualities of GRP, there is little maintenance required. For example, unlike their metal counterparts, they do not rust. Also, in contrast to wood, they are not at risk of rotting in certain conditions. Meanwhile, because of their strength, such pieces are not inclined to fall to pieces and thus provide their owners with an unwelcome surprise.

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The Early Days

Posted on March 12, 2012 by Tony

As with many technologies, the materials we build with have gradually improved though the ages. Every now and then a collection of new technologies can be released that pushes this evolution on at a faster rate. Technology is constantly improving the way in which products can be created and more importantly the functionality gained from improvements. It’s always a good idea to keep functionality over form, but pushing form a little keeps things exciting. Glass-reinforced plastic (GRP) is one these technologies that has evolved, and pushes an elegant form.

It’s original function was during the Second World War when scientists and engineers were seeking a suitable replacement for the moulded wood methods used in aircraft. From this, it founds its way into the domestic arena. Glass reinforced plastic was a hit with boat makers, the taking advantage of its many qualities most notably its strength, weather resistant qualities, and it’s relative weight.

These uses we the early days of GRP, much growth happened of the years after that. The Air, and the Sea were are not the only limited areas of usefulness in which GRP was utilised. Because of its versatility, it has become a feature in many popular products in everyday use.

The telecommunications industry was quick to realise the advantages and designers began crafting it to shroud the appearance of antennas, among other things. The ease with which it can be moulded, manufactured and painted also means it is used in many other ways.

It is loved for its considerable design flexibility, which is a combination of it’s relative light weightedness with a strong inherent strength. In addition, its weather resistant finish can be achieved in a variety of surface textures and an amazing array of colours.

For example, another application of GRP is storage tanks. It can be used for such vessels up to capacities of around 300 tonnes and they are seen as particularly useful for chemical storage because the plastic liner is resistant to a wide range of substances.

Indeed, use of the material has so permeated the sphere of human construction that many of us are in regular contact with it without even realising.

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Architectural mouldings

Posted on March 1, 2012 by Tony

GRP is everywhere, and often found on many buildings for both commercial and domestic purposes. Glass reinforced plasic mouldings can be crafted to emulate virtually any surface texture and colour but offer strong insulation and resistant qualities often sought after in the building world.

Architectural mouldings were traditionally a precast material used to enhance large Gothic buildings including cathedrals or government buildings. With the advent of plastics and more importantly composite materials, as well as alternative moulding technologies such as precast concrete, domestic and commercial architectural projects are now able to to have much greater design flexibility. GRP offers a weather resistant, light weight possibility that can be applied to small areas or used as large panels or modular systems

Architectural mouldings covers all manner of practices, but GRP solutions have been implementing fibreglass moulded versions that encompasses everything from exterior architectural window trim to architectural columns domes and striking instances of high design. Experience with multiple buildings including Brighton pier and the royal exchange London Are great examples of GRP solutions work.

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High Quality Manufacture

Posted on February 23, 2012 by Tony

At GRP Solutions we are experienced with high quality GRP manufacture like no one else. We can lead a project through from concept to initial batches and mass production. We use our experienced mould and pattern making team to great effect and provide an amazing quality of service and product from start to finish.

Our mouldings have been used by many industrial companies, but our highest fidelity mouldings can be seen in Legoland, London night clubs, Airports all over the UK and Asia, not to mention our Furniture in the Tate Modern. There is no other GRP manufacturer that can guarantee smooth organic curves for the highest design purposes.

Check out our project pages to see what we can do for you and your project in GRP!

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GRP Projects

Posted on February 15, 2012 by Tony

Glass reinforced plastic (or fibreglass) has got countless uses, so many in fact that it isn’t even possible to cover them all in one short blog. So instead, here are a few of the most weird and wonderful uses that you may not have thought of.

• Air traffic control desks. Yes, as well as being used for general desk and table set-ups, GRP can even be used for the high-pressure world of air traffic control. It can be moulded into the exact shape required, and can house the latest technology to ensure everything goes off without a hitch.

• High-class furnishings. Fibreglass may not look like much to those not in the know, but with a few careful tweaks it can be transformed into some stunning pieces of furniture and architectural delights. GRP panels and doors can be used to create a unique and modern effect for many building types.

• Rollercoasters. The durability, flexibility and lightness of glass reinforced plastic make it the perfect material for rollercoasters and other theme park rides. It can be moulded to suit the precise design of such structures, and being incredibly strong there’s no need to worry about safety.

• Laptops, wind turbine blades, kayaks, beach huts, sports cars, pier and exterior wall cladding, flat roofs – the list goes on!

As you can see there really are numerous uses for GRP, including a few that you may not have thought of. If you’ve got a product that you think would benefit from this material, make sure to come to us here at GRP Solutions and see composite project some burst into reality

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Fibreglass Moulds

Posted on December 28, 2011 by Tony

GRP, or fibreglass as it’s usually known, can often be a difficult and bothersome substance to work with. Fibreglass moulding is often used by hobbists, but high quality mouldings implemented in airports and in the automotive industry are always manufactured by professional moulding companies. It’s always best to leave it to the experts if you want to find products of exceptional quality, as anything less than that simply won’t be acceptable in a world that thrives on high standards.

Glass reinforced plastic can be used for any number of applications, from architecture and furnishings to military and construction needs, and its versatility makes it one of the most popular materials around. But it’s also incredibly difficult to get the right finish and look, and if you want the best you always need to go to the experts.

They’ll know just what to do to get you the GRP products of your dreams, and will have all the skills necessary to make everything to your precise specifications. They’ll have the technology to create things that you’ve never even seen before, and will be able to offer you fantastic service at the same time so you’re completely satisfied with the outcome. High quality GRP products come from high quality fibreglass moulds.

Here at GRP Solutions, we understand that you expect the best. That’s why we pride ourselves on the quality of all of the products that we produce, and always endeavour to create items of exceptional design and structure to be perfectly in keeping with the design brief. We can get you what you want when you want it, so if you want fantastic GRP products make sure to come to see what we have on offer.

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GRP, as strong as steel.

Posted on December 4, 2011 by Tony

Cycling has become more popular than ever over the last five years, and one of the side effects of this growth has been the rise of cycle shelters and racks in strategic locations in towns and cities. Many of these shelters are manufactured from glass reinforced plastic, or GRP, and there are many reasons why councils are choosing these shelters.

The first, and perhaps most important of these reasons, is cost. If you use a traditional shelter made from steel or aluminium, the chances are that within a relatively short period of time it will need maintenance. Steel corrodes due to the weather conditions, and while aluminium is more resistant to corrosion, it will still need regular maintenance to keep it in good condition. When cycle racks and shelters are made from glass reinforced plastic, this problem is alleviated. GRP is as strong as steel, but is completely resistant to weathering and corrosion, which means that it is a long term investment for councils and employers who want to provide cycle racks for their staff.

GRP is found in many areas and is not just restricted to mundane objects. For example the hull of Naval minesweeper will be manufactured from fibreglass moulds containing glass reinforced plastic. You will also find the latest modern furniture made out of GRP, and more and more designers are seeing the benefits of working with this material.

For more information on GRP moulding get in touch with the people at GRP Solutions. Their expert staff will be able to advise you on everything you need to know about glass reinforced plastic and its uses

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