Part 3 of the seven-part series on material selection for chemical process equipment focuses on select other materials beyond Metals (Part 1) and Plastics (Part 2). This summary of other materials includes Fiberglass Reinforced Plastics (FRP), Rubbers and Specialty Elastomers, Advanced Composites, and Technical Ceramics. Materials not in this Part 3 include products more applicable to project facility/area construction (e.g., concrete and wood), lightweight minor components (e.g., polymer foams and various material honeycombs), and more advanced/specialty materials not yet fully commercialized.Fiberglass Reinforced Plastics (FRP)FRP is a composite material using thermoset polymer resins and two- or three-dimensional fiber reinforcements with product-specific curing compounds, additives, and fillers to provide individual product properties. FRP composites have been used in chemical process equipment applications for more than 70 years and continue to develop with new resin and filler/additive materials and manufacturing techniques and technologies. FRP materials are used for tanks, tank shells, piping systems, ventilation hoods and ducting and blowers/fans and scrubbers, grating/stairs/ladders, structural shapes, and many custom wet process components. Similar to thermoplastics, application-appropriate, relatively lightweight FRP materials offer chemical resistance advantages over steels and stainless steels and for many cases over higher cost metals and alloys. Depending on material market pricing and application specifics, FRP can be higher or lower installed cost* than stainless steels. FRP is an electrical insulator and does not present contact or galvanic corrosion issues. FRP materials offer application-specific strength and temperature advantages over many thermoplastics.FRP chemical process equipment can be manufactured through a range of processes, including molding, pultrusion molding, and several types of hand or automated lay-up processes. Different thermoset curing processes are also used, including combinations of catalysts or additives, heat, pressure, vacuum, or ultraviolet or other electromagnetic curing. FRP fabrication workmanship and process quality control are very important to production of quality, long-life FRP products.FRP formulations using different resins provide for a broad range of excellent chemical resistance with some higher strength and temperature properties over commodity thermoplastics. Resin types range from more common polyester to more robust vinyl ester to higher strength epoxy resins. Other resin types include polyurethane, phenolics, and furans. Fiber reinforcements, including fiberglass, carbon fiber, or aramid (e.g., Kevlar) fiber, give different strength properties. In favorable application conditions, vinyl ester or furan resin FRP pipe can be suitable for up to 200°F, and epoxy or phenolic resin FRP pipe can be suitable for up to 300°F.FRP laminate products typically consist of layers of resin and fibers (glass or other materials) with layer-specific relative compositions; for example:Inner Laminate, or Chemical Barrier Layer (CBL): This layer is in contact with the process chemistry(e.g., inside surface of a tank or pipe or duct) and protects the Structural Layer from chemical exposure. The Inner Laminate typically has a higher resin to fiber ratio (e.g., 70%|30%).Structural Layer: This layer provides load-carrying mechanical support and typically has a lower resin to fiber ratio (e.g. 30%|70%). FRP composite layers can also be built around metal or other material stiffeners or frames to provide additional strength.Top Layer: This layer, such as the CBL, has a relatively higher resin to fiber ratio to protect the Structural Layer from process chemistry splashes and spills.Gel Coat: This layer is prepared from the base resin and additives to provide a chemical resistant, high quality color finish.FRP with glass-fiber reinforcing is lightweight (approximately 25% of steel) and typically provides approximately 50% of lengthwise tensile and flexural strength of steel. FRP strength in cross-wise direction is typically much lower than lengthwise strength (e.g., 25% to 30% of lengthwise strength), unless the specific FRP product is reinforced in the cross-wise direction.In addition to catalysts and curing compounds, FRP additives can include fire retardants; UV protection; and surface enhancements, including abrasion resistance, traction enhancement, and static reduction.FRP systems can be repaired in place without arc welding (an issue for some metal equipment in hazardous areas). Coating, liner, and dual laminate applications for FRP and other materials are discussed in Part 4.Rubbers and Specialty ElastomersRubbers and specialty elastomers are any of a wide range of polymer materials that differ from polymer plastics, as they are joined by chemical bonds to yield a cross-linked structure that provides for levels
Part 3 of the seven-part series on material selection for chemical process equipment focuses on select other materials beyond Metals (Part 1) and Plastics (Part 2). This summary of other materials includes Fiberglass Reinforced Plastics (FRP), Rubbers and Specialty Elastomers, Advanced Composites, and Technical Ceramics. Materials not in this Part 3 include products more applicable to project facility/area construction (e.g., concrete and wood), lightweight minor components (e.g., polymer foams and various material honeycombs), and more advanced/specialty materials not yet fully commercialized.Fiberglass Reinforced Plastics (FRP)FRP is a composite material using thermoset polymer resins and two- or three-dimensional fiber reinforcements with product-specific curing compounds, additives, and fillers to provide individual product properties. FRP composites have been used in chemical process equipment applications for more than 70 years and continue to develop with new resin and filler/additive materials and manufacturing techniques and technologies. FRP materials are used for tanks, tank shells, piping systems, ventilation hoods and ducting and blowers/fans and scrubbers, grating/stairs/ladders, structural shapes, and many custom wet process components. Similar to thermoplastics, application-appropriate, relatively lightweight FRP materials offer chemical resistance advantages over steels and stainless steels and for many cases over higher cost metals and alloys. Depending on material market pricing and application specifics, FRP can be higher or lower installed cost* than stainless steels. FRP is an electrical insulator and does not present contact or galvanic corrosion issues. FRP materials offer application-specific strength and temperature advantages over many thermoplastics.FRP chemical process equipment can be manufactured through a range of processes, including molding, pultrusion molding, and several types of hand or automated lay-up processes. Different thermoset curing processes are also used, including combinations of catalysts or additives, heat, pressure, vacuum, or ultraviolet or other electromagnetic curing. FRP fabrication workmanship and process quality control are very important to production of quality, long-life FRP products.FRP formulations using different resins provide for a broad range of excellent chemical resistance with some higher strength and temperature properties over commodity thermoplastics. Resin types range from more common polyester to more robust vinyl ester to higher strength epoxy resins. Other resin types include polyurethane, phenolics, and furans. Fiber reinforcements, including fiberglass, carbon fiber, or aramid (e.g., Kevlar) fiber, give different strength properties. In favorable application conditions, vinyl ester or furan resin FRP pipe can be suitable for up to 200°F, and epoxy or phenolic resin FRP pipe can be suitable for up to 300°F.FRP laminate products typically consist of layers of resin and fibers (glass or other materials) with layer-specific relative compositions; for example:Inner Laminate, or Chemical Barrier Layer (CBL): This layer is in contact with the process chemistry(e.g., inside surface of a tank or pipe or duct) and protects the Structural Layer from chemical exposure. The Inner Laminate typically has a higher resin to fiber ratio (e.g., 70%|30%).Structural Layer: This layer provides load-carrying mechanical support and typically has a lower resin to fiber ratio (e.g. 30%|70%). FRP composite layers can also be built around metal or other material stiffeners or frames to provide additional strength.Top Layer: This layer, such as the CBL, has a relatively higher resin to fiber ratio to protect the Structural Layer from process chemistry splashes and spills.Gel Coat: This layer is prepared from the base resin and additives to provide a chemical resistant, high quality color finish.FRP with glass-fiber reinforcing is lightweight (approximately 25% of steel) and typically provides approximately 50% of lengthwise tensile and flexural strength of steel. FRP strength in cross-wise direction is typically much lower than lengthwise strength (e.g., 25% to 30% of lengthwise strength), unless the specific FRP product is reinforced in the cross-wise direction.In addition to catalysts and curing compounds, FRP additives can include fire retardants; UV protection; and surface enhancements, including abrasion resistance, traction enhancement, and static reduction.FRP systems can be repaired in place without arc welding (an issue for some metal equipment in hazardous areas). Coating, liner, and dual laminate applications for FRP and other materials are discussed in Part 4.Rubbers and Specialty ElastomersRubbers and specialty elastomers are any of a wide range of polymer materials that differ from polymer plastics, as they are joined by chemical bonds to yield a cross-linked structure that provides for levels<br>
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