Cutting Corrosion Costs with FRP

The astronomical amounts of money that are set aside to combat the damage caused by continuous corrosion account for an astounding 3.1% of the total GDP of the U.S., estimated at around $276 billion. This is a significant chunk of change that FRP components and equipment can help to reduce.

Main Causes of Corrosion

Generally, those working with large equipment in construction or heavy industry businesses reluctantly accept corrosion as a byproduct of their work. The main causes in most people’s minds is simply time, wear, and tear. However, an awareness of the specific conditions that elevate and accelerate the detrimental effects that a corrosive environment can have is imperative:

Harmful Compounds

Compounds that are an unavoidable side-effect of industrial processes such as sulphuric acid and methane gas spread and penetrate conventional materials like aluminum and steel, gradually reacting with molecules across the surface to cause various different forms of degradation.

Wastewater

Fiberglass ProductsThe chemical contaminants within wastewater when left in extended contact with metal coverings start to eat away at the composite configuration giving the surface a severely rusted appearance. If left untreated, rust will cause structural issues that can pose significant health and safety concerns.

Environmental Elements

When exposed to the wind, rain, sun, and cycling temperatures, classic materials show the ill-effects of their ever-changing atmosphere and the structures crack and crumble.

Design and construction specialists have considered how corrosion can be controlled, slowed down and in some cases, virtually stopped.

Saving Money and Time with FRP Products

The decision to switch to ‘fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP)’ coverings and surfaces seems to be the long-term and solid solution to a corrosion-resistant future.

In-line with globally revered and recognized regulations and standards, forward thinking companies started looking at FRP as a viable and versatile solution known for its solid structure and anti-corrosion capabilities.

FRP outperforms previously preferred metal equivalents in almost every area: strength, durability, production cost, and versatility. In short, it saves the customer the two most vital business commodities: money and time:

Cost Reduction

Through the incorporation of Strongwell’s ‘pultruded fiberglass/polyester EXTREN® Series 525 structural shapes’, manufacturers realized that they could save millions of dollars in aftercare and maintenance costs because of the high-performing and hard-wearing FRP solutions. This empowered engineers to manufacture covers, hatches and lids that would provide tighter fixtures and impenetrable airtight seals to suppress potentially harmful substances and solutions, protecting the properties of their composites and conserving the original qualities of the materials.

Timesaving

Because the FRP solutions that Strongwell produces are considerably lighter and easier to assemble, the parts can be prefabricated or assembled on- or off-site. This eliminates the need for complex construction scheduling, simplifies delivery timelines, and eliminates the needs for welding protocols to be put into place.

Contact us to discover the multitude of Strongwell’s FRP materials.

 

Source: NACE Impact Study