Fibreglass (GRP or FRP)
PILA is the only manufacturer of specialised sustainable fibreglass poles in the Australasian region, setting the industry benchmark and offering our clients the most advanced products, in line with international trends.
Shaped in the Greek Entasis taper design, the classical shape of a candle, the round, tapered fibreglass column is lightweight, durable, low maintenance and finished in a brilliant high gloss white gel coat. PILA fibreglass products are a cost effective alternative to metal and timber products in the harshest industrial environments.
PILA group Fibreglass Products
Custom Poles Football Goal Posts
How is it made?
Fibreglass is also known as GRP, Glass Reinforced Polyester or FRP, Fibre Reinforced Polyester/Polymer. The most common method of manufacturing a fibreglass pole is when sheets of glass fibre matting are layered into a mould which is coated with resin to set, using low pressure casting methods.
A key element in the quality and consistency of a fibreglass pole is the material composition and structure. Our poles are made up of strands which are unbroken along the length of the pole. The glass fibre is dipped into a resin-filled basin, then laid in several overlapping layers and rolled around a shaft before being moulded into shape.
Once polymerisation has taken place in the mould, the pole is fitted with its parts and accessories. The finished result is a long lasting, high strength fibreglass reinforced pole with colour pigment added throughout each layer giving a smooth, hard and brilliantly glossy finish.
The utilisation of composite materials, in particular fibreglass (GRP / FRP), offers new applications and new markets every day, thanks to the development of new products and the constant improvement of the fabrication processes.
Aside the environmental benefit, fibreglass has many other advantages over other common materials, such as steel, aluminium and timber.
Installation of a 12m Fibreglass pole
Benefits of Fibreglass
Any product continually exposed to harsh sun, wind and weather over a long period of time must be designed to withstand the elements. Likewise, products for contemporary streetscapes must be elegant, subtle and in keeping with the natural environment. PILA fibreglass provides practical solutions for the urban environment, below are some of the benefits of fibreglass:
- Sustainable: Significant environmental benefits compared to metal and timber products.
- Safer: Fibreglass is a low conductor of electricity / lightning so is safer than metal poles.
- Low Conductor: Non-metallic fibreglass does not spark and is safer near electrical hazards.
- Corrosion Resistant: Designed for aggressive environments with no coating or treating required.
- Low Maintenance: Maintenance free & won’t rust, rot, oxidise, decay reducing life cycle cost.
- Colour-Fast: Pigmented so the surface will not darken or fade, become powdery or crack.
- Low-Maintenance: Natural insulator requiring no thermal break. Will not absorb moisture or mould.
- Durable: Gel-coat is impervious to salt spray and industrial polluted atmospheres.
- Sound Absorbing: Acoustically efficient achieving the highest rating for sound deadening.
- Impact Resistant: Inherent flexibility to resist impact and failure. Safer for road-side use.
- Lightweight: Up to 75% lighter than steel making it easier and cheaper to handle and install.
- Strong: High strength-to-weight ratio so fibreglass is rigid but naturally flexible.
- Easy To Handle: Strong but light weight alternative where heavy lifting or site access is an issue.
- Easy to Store: Multi-piece design allows for easy transport and storage of all height products.
Other Benefits of fibreglass include:
- The smooth gel coat finish never needs painting or recoating.
- It is cost effective long term because it is corrosive resistant and maintenance free.
- Tooling costs are low in comparison to other materials, making custom designs viable.
- A range of colours can be applied to the gel coat allowing for versatility in design.
- Damaged products are easily and cheaply repairable unlike steel, aluminium or timber.
- GRP products have good chemical resistance and have good heat insulation.
- GRP has good dielectric properties which make it excellent as an electrical insulator.
Material Comparison
The advantages of fibreglass in comparison to GALVANISED STEEL:
- It does not require coating for corrosion resistance.
- It is resistant to salt water, to sulphur, chlorine or basic environments.
The advantages of fibreglass in comparison to ALUMINIUM:
- There is no electrolytic corrosion due to contact of two metals in humid environment.
- It has a much higher life span in basic, chlorine or halogen atmosphere.
The advantages of fibreglass in comparison to STAINLESS STEEL:
- Is not prone to surface pitting and discolouration.
- Absence of hollow corrosion / corrosion under tension (mechanical).
Other advantages of fibreglass in comparison to ALL metals:
- A much lower conductor of electricity compared to metal poles.
- Easy and quick to work with and manipulate (cut, drill) on site.
- No sanding or finishing required to remove sharp edges, unlike metal and timber.
- Excellent thermal insulation (1000 times less heat conductor than aluminium).
- No spark risk when cutting or drilling, unlike metal.
- Excellent electrical insulation ( ~ 6 KV / mm).
Mechanical Strength
A specific resistance 2 to 4 times higher than traditional materials allows a significant saving of weight. A basic fibreglass product (70% fibre / 30 % resin) gives a weight saving, for equal resistance, up to:
- 60 % in comparison to stainless steel.
- 65 % in comparison to aluminium.
- 75 % in comparison to hot dipped galvanised steel.
This weight saving reduces the need for machinery labour during installation saving up to 50% in time and cost.
Fibreglass: The Sustainable Choice
When it comes to choosing your Sports and Streetscape products, we make it easy for you to choose responsibly, which is why so many councils, Government departments, architects and builders choose PILA fibreglass products.
Fibreglass is much more sustainable than aluminium, steel or timber and there are significant environmental benefits of choosing sustainable PILA fibreglass products over metal and timber. There are no large smoke plumes or other forms of environmental pollution from the manufacture of fibreglass (GRP: glass reinforced plastics / FRP: fibre reinforced plastics) products.
Unlike the production of metal and timber products, the production process for fibreglass products is extremely benign. Even the production of the base resins and the glass fibre roving’s have little environmental impact when compared to the production of steel for example.
As with most synthetic products the resins are derived from petroleum by-products. Although there appears to be little threat to the sustainability of Polyester and Vinylester resins and glass fibre roving’s, research is continually seeking alternative raw materials that are able to provide similar or better qualities.
Natural Alternative to Plastics
Development continues with the use of bio-composites and natural fibres. GRP / FRP Polyester and Vinylester products should not be confused with what is generalised as Plastics. The ester resins are more environmentally friendly and sustainable because they do not break down as quickly as the PVA and PVC products.
Consequently, there is no continual need to manufacture replacement materials and dispose of or recycle the old. The recycle process alone creates a larger carbon footprint than the production of new GRP / FRP products.
The nature in which Plastics break down often results in the surface becoming dry, brittle and powdery. This powder ultimately disperses into the local environment when used outdoors. It is generally acknowledged that GRP / FRP Polyester and Vinylester products will have a service life of more than 50 years and many suggest a longevity of 100+ years, giving a greener and more cost effective product.
Recycling Fibreglass
Because GRP / FRP products have so many great green benefits to the development of society and industry in general, there is continual research into the methods of disposal of waste materials. Fibreglass is more environmentally friendly, economical and resistant to corrosion than steel, aluminium and timber.
Fibreglass is not biodegradable as such, but upon disposal it can be ground down and used as a filler in concrete, since the glass fibres improve the binding capability of the mix, therefore it is a recyclable product. Another method of recycling fibreglass is by crushing old fibreglass and then through a process of filtration separating the strands and resin powder. The strands are then turned into chopped strand matting cloth and the powder into filler that can be used to thicken the resin.
Fibreglass has actually been recycled for decades. Fibreglass can generally only be recycled into more fibreglass or concrete-type products; it cannot be blended in with most other types of plastics. Earlier processes, used mostly in the boating industry, involved grinding up the fibre into a powder and using it as filler in fibreglass production.
Today there are many companies throughout the world that make and distribute machinery that recycle fibreglass with a high degree of efficiency. Recycled fibreglass is less expensive and can be stronger, lighter and more durable. Recycled fibreglass can already be found in building materials, swimming pools, bathtubs, park benches and furniture, bus seating, stadium seating, household and industrial recycling bins and even boats.
Using fibreglass in lieu of steel, aluminium and timber also means there will be less demand upon our natural resources and a reduction of the environmental impact resulting from the production of metals and the disposal of their waste.
PILA group’s sustainable fibreglass goal posts and flag poles are listed on the supplier database for the Local Government Procurement Program – Sustainable Choice (NSW) and Eco-Buy (VIC) – Local Government Purchasing for Sustainability.
