What is fiberglass reinforcement

Fiberglass reinforcement: characteristics and areas of application

The construction industry is one of the fastest growing and changing in the modern world. Before one piece of know-how appears somewhere in the depths of a specialized university, the idea is immediately picked up by business. Fiberglass reinforcement is one of these materials that has literally revolutionized the construction industry. A successful combination of science and engineering has made it possible to create a special material for construction and installation work that surpasses traditional ones in quality and characteristics.

Material that looks more like cake candles does some serious work

Main characteristics and standard sizes of composite fiberglass reinforcement

A key role in the composition of the building material is played by special fiberglass fibers, which are impregnated with a special polymer composition. The material is produced in the form of rods with a diameter of 4 to 18 mm. The length can reach 12 meters. The main “feature” of the material is its multi-layer nature and special polymer “impregnation”.

For your information! Fiberglass fittings are usually supplied in the form of twisted coils; in appearance they resemble a large coil of dense cord or wire. However, if the diameter of the product is more than 10 mm, it is sold only in rods.

In the literature and GOST, two abbreviations are mentioned, indicating the same material: SPA or ASP. Both abbreviations are equivalent.

Material Size Options

The rod consists of two layers:

• 1st layer – inner core. It is based on fiberglass fibers arranged strictly parallel to each other (it is no coincidence that we compared the reinforcement with a rigid wire), or in the form of a “pigtail”. These threads are thin, but surprisingly strong; they are soldered to each other with a special polymer composition. It is these fibers that provide the main characteristics of the product.
• 2nd layer – outer. The “shell” can be a fine abrasive, specially sprayed, or fibers, this is the so-called reinforcing winding.

Options for the outer shell of fiberglass reinforcement

The main characteristics for this material are most often called:

• diameter – this indicator affects the calculation of the product’s bending and tensile strength;
• weight. By the way, this indicator distinguishes fiberglass from other products, in particular metal fittings;
• winding step. The characteristic is relevant for ASP with a relief coating.

Interesting fact! Fiberglass is 9 times lighter than metal rods.

Areas of application and types of fiberglass reinforcement

The use of fiberglass reinforcement is quite widespread. Due to the possibility of using not only rods, but also reinforcing mesh, it is used in the construction of fences and the construction of frames of various, sometimes very complex, geometries. Moreover, the sizes of finished structures can be very different.

The material is widely used in installation work, construction of frames, fences, and pouring foundations.

In addition, fiberglass reinforcement can be used in:

• road construction and pavement reinforcement;
• strengthening brickwork and other block-type building materials;
• reinforcement of foundations and wells;
• strengthening and fencing structures filled with cement.

Advice! In dacha farming, fiberglass reinforcement is useful in the construction of outbuildings, enclosures, as well as greenhouses and greenhouses. It can be used as support structures for gartering plants, as a basis for decorative trellises.

Options for using SPA in construction and in the garden.

Production and requirements for fiberglass reinforcement

Like any technically complex production, the creation of high-strength reinforcement is a labor-intensive and expensive process. It is necessary to use high-precision equipment to create a special mixture.

The composite is based on aluminoborosilicate glass and an oil-containing polymer binder composition

All the main elements of the SPA production line are shown in the diagram:

Line for the production of fiberglass reinforcement

Pros and cons of composite fiberglass reinforcement

Fiberglass reinforcement is considered the most promising material used in the construction of reinforcing structures and frames. Among the advantages are:

• high resistance to corrosion;
• low thermal conductivity;
• durability;
• light weight;
• 3.5 times stronger than metal;
• versatility;
• tensile strength;
• does not conduct current;
• not afraid of frost;
• seamlessness;
• does not require welding.

Among the disadvantages:

• low elasticity,
• low thermal stability.

What to look for when choosing

Due to the large number of standard sizes, it is necessary to take into account the conditions of use and the load on the material. That is why, immediately when purchasing, pay attention to the following points:

• design option for the top layer and quality of winding of the reinforcing tape;
• diameter and absence of chips and damage on cuts;
• color. It should be uniform. The shade must match the description in the documentation;
• availability of documents of compliance with GOST.

When choosing a spa, it is best to initially find out the reputation of the manufacturing company of this material, for which you need to read reviews on the Internet and in other sources of information.

Which reinforcement is better: metal or fiberglass?

Perhaps, if we compare these two materials, the usual metal material significantly loses in quality, but wins in price. In this case, you should pay attention to the scope of application. And also study comparative characteristics.

Characteristic	Metal	Fiberglass
Tensile strength, MPa	390	1300
Thermal conductivity coefficient, W/m2×K	46	0,35
Density, kg/m3	7850	1900
Elasticity	+	+
Plastic	+	—
Corrosion resistance	—	+
Dielectric properties	—	+

Leading manufacturers

There are about 10 proven manufacturers of fiberglass reinforcement that have managed to prove themselves in this market segment. Moreover, enterprises exist in almost all major geographical areas: the central part of Russia, as well as Siberia and the Urals. Let's name the largest of them:

• NPC "Spetspolymer", NPC "ARMASTEK", Moscow Composite Materials Plant. (Moscow and Moscow Region);
• Leader-Composite (St. Petersburg and Leningrad region)
• "Yaroslavl Composites Plant";
• "Uralteplostroy", LLC "UZKT", LLC "Elpromtekh", LLC NPF "UralSpetsArmatura" (Ekaterinburg);
• "Volga region fittings" (Saratov).

Review of prices and user reviews of composite fiberglass reinforcement

The cost of the material is calculated based on the price per linear meter. The final cost is influenced by both the quality of the raw material, its composition and number of layers, as well as the diameter of the intended workpiece. Let's present the average data for September 2018 in rubles.

Manufacturer	Brand	Diameter, mm	Outer layer type	Cost, rubles/p. meter
PC "Composite"	ASK	8,0	with coiling	11,9
10,0	17,9
12,0	26,9
TSA	8,0	with sand coating	13,9
10,0	23,9
12,0	38,9
"ArmatSoyuz"	SPA	4,0	with coiling	6,9
6,0	7,9
8,0	11,5
10,0	17,5
12,0	26,9
14,0	42,9
16,0	60,9
18,0	94,9
"Armplast"	ASK	4,0	with coiling	5,5
6,0	7,9
8,0	11,5
10,0	17,9
12,0	26,9
14,0	42,47
16,0	60,52
18,0	94,32
20,0	117,6
22,0	138,99
25,0	180,17
28,0	223,10
32,0	292,74
36,0	312,80

If we talk about the features of using the material and reviews about it, experts note the high quality of the material and the relative ease of working with it. Due to its high wear-resistant properties, fiberglass reinforcement has gained its fans among both professional builders and home craftsmen.

Feedback on the use of fiberglass reinforcement:

Source: https://homius.ru/stekloplastikovaya-armatura.html

All the truth about fiberglass reinforcement

16.10.2017

Fiberglass reinforcement is a modern development that can significantly facilitate foundation and concrete work. The method is new, so when choosing, it is important to know its characteristics, advantages and disadvantages in comparison with metal fittings.

Ax - what is it, its structure and appearance

Composite reinforcement is a round rod with knurled stiffening ribs. Made from fiberglass. Available in various sections. Its diameter, depending on the required strength of the products, can vary from 4 mm to 18 mm. Workpieces can be cut into lengths up to 12 m.

For ease of transportation, twisting of the reinforcement is used if its cross-section is up to 10 mm in diameter. Additional strength is achieved by using continuous fiberglass fiber production. Foreign manufacturers call this method polymer equipment.

In our documents, the fiberglass reinforcing part is designated by the abbreviation AKS. Fiberglass reinforcement is made of 2 main parts:

• the main part is the central barrel. It is made of parallel fiberglass threads. A polymer resin is used to connect them. This device gives the product additional strength;
• external coils or sprinkling for better joining with concrete. They are applied in the form of several spirals along the entire length of the main trunk. Two methods of manufacturing coils are used - powder coating and bidirectional winding of fins. Composite reinforcement is available in various types of central rod. A pigtail made of carbon fiber is one of the types of this part.

Physical properties and materials used in the production of reinforcing products

The main characteristics were obtained after a series of scientific research and the introduction of the latest developments. Some properties allow it to be used for reinforcement in residential and industrial construction:

• light weight of products - steel reinforcement is an order of magnitude heavier (9 times);
• is not subject to destruction from corrosion, acids, alkalis. According to this indicator, metal fittings are inferior by 10 points;
• low level of thermal conductivity. When arranging foundations and floor slabs, the possibility of thermal insulation failure due to cold bridges is reduced to 0.
• light and flexible - this quality simplifies its delivery and work;
• does not conduct electricity, is not susceptible to stray currents;
• Due to its plasticity, it can take any shape; there is no need to use welding or cutting machines.

Thanks to these characteristics, reinforcing the foundation with fiberglass reinforcement becomes justified both in production and economic terms. Much in this matter is decided by the material used for the production of ASP. The industry produces composite non-metallic reinforcement from several types of modern plastics. They have a base made of the following materials:

1. Fiberglass.
2. Carbon fiber.
3. Basalt-plastic.
4. Made from aramid.
5. Material created on the basis of glass-reinforced polyethylene terephthalate.

The price of some materials does not allow their use in mass quantities. For this reason, 2 types of materials are most popular. These are fiberglass and basalt plastic products. The main trunk is woven from many strands of material. They are connected using thermoactive synthetic resins.

To securely connect the rod, either sand coating is applied, or the trunk is wrapped around several turns running in a spiral. When using fiberglass reinforcement, one should take into account its property of slight stretching in a concrete product. In this case, there will be very little contact with the concrete and separation of the coils or abrasive coating will occur.

Products made of basalt plastic do not have a reliable connection with concrete. The best fixation is provided by coils made of carbon fiber, applied to the fiberglass main barrel. In this case, the load is evenly distributed over the entire part and the rod is normally fixed to the concrete mass.

Advantages and disadvantages of use

Reviews from builders allow us to recognize the following main advantages:

• the low weight of the products not only makes it easier for workers, but also makes the structures quite light. Therefore, it is used for cellular concrete and other materials that reduce the weight of the structure while maintaining a high level of reliability and strength;
• metal, capable of transmitting cold through cold bridges. The use of fiberglass reinforcement eliminates this possibility; this advantage is especially important in monolithic construction of buildings;
• material consumption is reduced when packaging it in coils. The lashes are produced in lengths of 12 meters, which allows for more economical cutting. This point is especially important in private construction, when every ruble spent is scrupulously calculated;
• increases the economic component, the possibility of linking without overlaps and the use of welding work;
• composite reinforcement can serve for a long time and not lose its properties, but metal reinforcement laid in a concrete slab also does not decompose;
• dielectric properties guarantee safe living in the building, but this advantage is controversial. Concrete itself is a dielectric;
• a high level of resistance to chemicals is important when performing foundation work at low temperatures. At this time, various additives are added to the concrete;
• Does not interfere with the passage of radio waves. This quality is especially important in monolithic construction; metal fittings interfere with the normal operation of mobile communications and the passage of radio signals. The use of composite reinforcement can reduce the level of radio interference in the building.

These products also have disadvantages. A specialist using this material can easily name them:

• Reinforcing fiberglass (FRP) exceeds the cost of steel reinforcement. But this disadvantage is easily offset by the possibility of using thinner reinforcement for a similar type of work;
• is subject to deformation and destruction at high temperatures, but the likelihood of such an impact inside concrete is unrealistic;
• if fiberglass reinforcement is used for a foundation with many turns, it is not possible to bend the parts for bending, but the problem is easily solved. It is enough to take a piece of steel rod, bend it at the desired angle and tie it to the main lash;
• one of the main disadvantages is the low elasticity when the rod breaks. In this case, fiberglass reinforcement is inferior to steel, but it works better in tension. Due to its low resistance to fracture, its use in capital construction is somewhat limited;
• when using it in the foundation and pouring concrete from a mixer, you need to be extremely careful. Glass reinforcement cannot be placed in a rigid frame and under high pressure its integrity may be damaged. Composite mesh is the best solution to the problem.

How to knit fiberglass reinforcement, but easier than metal. This does not require the use of different hooks. It is tied together with self-tightening plastic clamps. The operation is simple and requires a minimum of knowledge and tools.

Having considered the advantages and disadvantages, it is impossible to unequivocally answer the question of which is better - light plastic or rigid steel. Only construction engineers can do this.

Scope of use and main types of reinforcing rods

These products are divided not only by their appearance and the method of applying stiffeners. The main classification is the scope of use of rods:

• working;
• distribution;
• installation;
• produced for strengthening concrete products and structures.

The production of various products has been established, depending on the assigned tasks for fittings in construction:

• separate, different in size, lashes;
• reinforcing mesh;
• Depending on the size, frames of various designs and dimensions are produced.

With a short period of use, composite reinforcement is used by various construction organizations. It is used for the manufacture of drainage wells, concrete walls, and strip foundations are reinforced with fiberglass reinforcement. Widely used in road construction.

With its help, they reinforce the canvas, embankments, the bases of highways, and well strengthen the brick and block masonry of walls. This material is widely used in private households and for the arrangement of various greenhouses and greenhouses, for reinforcing a small foundation. Such structures are lightweight, easy to install and disassemble.

Adding to the popularity of the material is its ease of transportation and operation. For delivery you do not need to order a truck; delivery can be done in a passenger car.

Analysis and comparison of the main parameters of two types of reinforcing materials

You can get a complete and reasoned answer to the question of which fittings are better by carefully comparing the main parameters of plastic and metal fittings.

Properties of materials	Steel reinforcement	Fiberglass composite
Elasticity and plasticity	The metal has a fairly high level of these material properties	The fiberglass barrel has a high level of elasticity
Tensile strength	Steel reinforcement is inferior to plastic reinforcement in this property. This value for this material is 390 mPa.	Fiberglass threads have a great advantage. The strength of the material is 1300 mPa.
Coefficient of thermal conductivity	In this matter, metal is significantly inferior to its opponent. This coefficient is 46 W/(m*K).	This value is much less than that of steel and is equal to 0.35 W/(m*K).
Material Density	For this characteristic, steel rods are preferable. Their density is 7800 kg/m3.	Here, fiberglass is significantly inferior to steel. Its density is 1900 kg/m3.

Due to the resistance of plastic to corrosion and chemicals, it is preferable to steel. This material is also better in terms of electrical safety and not obstructing radio waves into the room. In general, no specialist can decide which material is preferable.

Only by completing other elements of the building and comparing it with the calculation of the structure using steel reinforcement can you get a reasoned answer. And only after this we reinforce the building parts and concrete products calmly and with confidence in the chosen material.

In conclusion, it should be noted

Experience with this type of reinforcement appeared in construction several decades ago. Despite this, the method has significantly strengthened in the market of materials for concrete work. The scope of application of fiberglass reinforcement is quite wide.

These include the production of greenhouses on peasant farmsteads, low-rise construction, and use in the construction of highways. In each of these areas, the consumer receives a reliable and lightweight design with minimal effort and expense.

Source: https://noow.ru/fundament/stekloplastikovaya-armatura.html

Fiberglass reinforcement: disadvantages, characteristics, application

In construction, as in other industries, they are increasingly resorting to the use of the latest technologies and innovative approaches in the production of goods and services. Fiberglass reinforcement is an example of such an alternative solution. It quickly replaced traditional metal parts, surpassing them in economic and technical parameters. From this article you will learn what fiberglass reinforcement is. The characteristics of this material will be presented in comparison with others.

Fiberglass reinforcement - what is it?

The reinforcing agent, or non-metallic fiberglass reinforcement, is a kind of rod with a ribbed surface made of glass fibers. Its profile is spiral-shaped, and its diameter varies from 4 to 18 mm. The length of the fittings can reach up to 12 meters. Sometimes it is found in the form of twisted bays; the diameter of such building material is 10 mm.

Abroad, fiberglass reinforcement, the use of which is as widespread as in our country, is called polymer equipment. It is reinforced with continuous fiber. In Russia you can often find the abbreviation AKS.

What is fiberglass reinforcement made of?

The physical body of the AKC consists of several parts:

1. Main trunk. It is made of parallel fibers that are connected with a polymer resin. The main trunk ensures the strength of the reinforcement.

2. Outer layer - is a fibrous body. It is wound in a spiral around the AKS barrel. It is found in the form of sand spraying or bidirectional winding.

There are various variations of fiberglass, it all depends on the imagination of the manufacturer and the feasibility of the know-how. On sale you can find fittings, the main trunk of which is made in the form of a carbon fiber pigtail.

Basic properties

To determine the properties of fiberglass, a lot of research and testing has been carried out. The results obtained characterized AKS as high-strength and durable equipment for construction, which has a number of advantages over other materials:

• light weight (fiberglass is 9 times lighter than metal reinforcement);
• resistance to corrosion in acidic and aggressive chloride environments (10 times higher than the properties of steel reinforcement);
• low thermal conductivity;
• efficiency (it is more profitable to transport it, and replacement is carried out less frequently);
• magnetoinertness;
• radio transparency;
• the reinforcement is a dielectric.

Fiberglass reinforcement: disadvantages

In addition to the undeniable advantages of AKS, thanks to which it has gained great popularity among construction companies and ordinary people, it has its drawbacks. Of course, it is very difficult to call them critical. However, it is worth keeping in mind the negative characteristics of the material, which may affect the construction process.

So, the disadvantages:

• low elastic modulus;
• insufficient heat resistance;
• others.

Due to its low elasticity, the AKS is easy to bend. For the manufacture of foundations and paths, this is not a serious disadvantage. But in the case of the production of floors, additional calculations need to be made, taking into account this feature of the reinforcement.

Insufficient heat resistance is a more serious drawback of AKS. The fact that fiberglass itself is heat resistant does not mean anything. The plastic connecting link does not withstand high temperatures, but the reinforcement belongs to the group of self-extinguishing materials.

This property is valid up to a temperature of 2000 degrees Celsius, after which AKS loses its strength. Therefore, the use of fiberglass with concrete is prohibited. Such reinforcement can be used only in those areas of construction where temperature changes are completely excluded.

However, these requirements are almost always met in ordinary residential and some industrial buildings.

Fiberglass reinforcement, the disadvantages of which were listed above, also has a number of negative aspects. Over time, its strength is destroyed, and under the influence of alkaline compounds, the reaction rate increases several times. But modern technologies make it possible to cope with this disadvantage. Rare earth metals are added to AKS, which make fiberglass less sensitive.

Some experts note the fact that such fittings do not tolerate welding. Therefore, many people prefer to “knit” fiberglass lashes.

Fiberglass production

We very often use fiberglass reinforcement at home, for example, in pouring foundations, etc. AKS production does not have to be in-line.

Many auto repair shops involved in tuning cars produce this material in various configurations. Reinforcement with fiberglass reinforcement is a common thing for services: they can make a new bumper and other parts from it.

But in this case we are talking about small-scale production. Only large industrial enterprises put AKS on stream.

There are several basic manufacturing methods:

• stretching;
• winding;
• manual method.

The first method is used for the manufacture of various profiles. Glass fibers are unwound on a continuous flow line. Most often, parallel bundles of material are unrolled from the reels and do not twist together. Experts call this production element roving. Before the bobbins are put into action, the fiberglass is lubricated with a resin containing substances to polymerize it at high temperatures.

Gradually, the material will harden, and this effect is achieved due to the chemical reaction that has occurred. Then the fiberglass passes through filters, which free the material from excess resin, and the AKS takes on its usual cylindrical shape. While the reinforcement has not hardened, a special strand is wound around it in a spiral. It is this that provides strength upon contact with concrete. Due to this property, fiberglass reinforcement is increasingly used for foundations.

The reviews left by builders are often positive.

After all the manipulations, the AKS passes through the oven, where it hardens at high temperatures. Next, the finished reinforcement is cut into pieces of the required length (they are called lashes). Sometimes AKS is wound on bobbins, but this is only possible if it has a small diameter. Thick lashes are simply impossible to twist. Such fiberglass reinforcement, the use of which is very widespread, is produced in large quantities when it comes to large-scale production.

The coiling method is most often used to produce fiberglass pipes. They are made according to the same principle as whips. Fiberglass impregnated with resin is wound onto a special machine. The winding device, due to its rotation, makes it possible to obtain a cylindrical surface. The fiberglass is then passed through a high-temperature furnace and cut into pipes of specific sizes.

The manual method is most often used in small-scale production. Fiberglass reinforcement, the disadvantages of which do not greatly affect the final result, allows you to obtain a durable car body, bumper, etc. Craftsmen create a special matrix with a pre-applied decorative and protective layer. Usually a sprayer is used for this, which allows you to achieve a uniform effect.

After this, glass material is placed on the matrix, which is cut in advance to the required dimensions. Fiberglass or glass mat is impregnated with a mixture of polymer resin. It is best to use a brush. Using a roller, the remaining air is squeezed out of the material so that there are no voids inside the fiberglass. When the fabric has hardened, it is cut, given the desired shape, holes are drilled in it, etc.

After this, the matrix can be reused.

Characteristics

Fiberglass reinforcement is characterized by the following parameters:

• weight;
• winding pitch;
• internal and external diameter.

Each profile number corresponds to its own indicator value. The only parameter that remains unchanged is the winding pitch. It is equal to 15 mm.

According to the specifications, fiberglass reinforcement, the characteristics of which vary depending on the profile, is produced under the following numbers: 4, 5, 5.5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 and 18. These values ​​​​correspond to the outer diameter. The weight of the profiles varies from 0.02 to 0.42 kg/1 running meter.

Kinds

Construction fittings have many varieties. There are classifications that divide it into:

• piece;
• mesh;
• frames;
• designs.

The fittings are also divided into groups:

• working;
• distribution;
• installation;
• reinforcement used in reinforced concrete structures.

In addition, rods are divided into longitudinal and transverse, smooth and round, fiberglass and composite, etc.

Scope of application of composite reinforcement

The scope of application of the material we are considering is quite wide. Very often, composite reinforcement (fiberglass) is used for foundations, namely for reinforcing elastic foundations. In this case we are talking about the production of road slabs and slabs.

Reinforcement with fiberglass reinforcement is used for the production of conventional concrete structures, drainage pipes, dowels, etc. With its help, they improve the characteristics of walls and make flexible connections between brickwork.

AKS is used for reinforcing road surfaces, embankments for weak foundations, monolithic concrete, etc.

Transportation

Fiberglass reinforcement is produced in the form of coils that can be rolled up. This became possible after manufacturers removed self-tightening ties. The AKS coils can be easily unrolled, after which the fiberglass straightens and becomes suitable for work.

The material is packaged and transported horizontally. The main thing during transportation is to follow the basic rules for transporting goods.

Comparison of fiberglass reinforcement with steel

The main competitor of AKS is steel reinforcement. Their characteristics are largely similar, but in some respects fiberglass is clearly superior to the usual type of metal equipment.

Let's compare fiberglass with steel according to certain parameters:

1. Deformability. Steel reinforcement is elastic-plastic, AKS is ideally elastic.

2. Tensile strength: for steel - 390 MPa, for fiberglass - 1300 MPa.

3. Thermal conductivity coefficient. In the first case it is equal to 46 W/mOS, in the second - 0.35.

4. Density. Steel reinforcement has a value of 7850 kg/m3, AKS - 1900 kg/m3.

5. Thermal conductivity. Fiberglass is not thermally conductive, unlike steel.

6. Corrosion resistance. AKS is a stainless metal; steel corrodes relatively quickly.

7. Ability to conduct electricity. The dielectric is fiberglass reinforcement. The disadvantages of steel rods are that they are 100% current conductors.

Reviews and recommendations

Many professionals and ordinary consumers, when choosing construction equipment, choose a material such as composite fiberglass reinforcement. Reviews about it are mostly positive. According to experts, fiberglass rods are virtually waste-free.

Almost everyone notes the simplicity of operation and ease of use. Builders believe that AKS, in comparison with metal, wins on almost all counts. The main advantage of fiberglass is that the reinforcement is produced in coils, which means that you can work with the length that is necessary.

Science does not stand still, and innovative solutions and the latest technologies have appeared in the construction sector. Keep up with the times - use fiberglass reinforcement!

Source: https://FB.ru/article/154787/stekloplastikovaya-armatura-nedostatki-harakteristiki-primenenie

Composite fiberglass reinforcement - pros and cons of application, production, cost and processing features

Reinforcement is an integral part of any construction work and consists of strong rods that bind concrete or other material. Most often it is made of metal, but recently fittings made of composite materials have become popular.

As can be seen from the photo, fiberglass reinforcement is no different in appearance from its iron counterpart, and is also not inferior to it in quality, although it has a completely different chemical composition.

What is composite reinforcement made from?

Composite reinforcement is made from various polymers based on epoxy and polyester resins and a binder material - fiberglass.

For special strength, it may include a special basalt carbon fabric - carbon. You can often find such fittings in various colors. Coloring is of an aesthetic nature and does not affect the strength properties.

In addition, many manufacturers paint rods of different diameters in their own color to facilitate further work with them.

Advantages of composite reinforcement

Almost everyone knows about the high strength properties of fiberglass. It is far from news that products made from this material are intensively replacing other similar ones, but made from other materials.

For example, it replaced aluminum in aircraft manufacturing, and stone and metal in construction. And there are a number of reasons for this:

Installation of fiberglass reinforcement does not require welding. It is fixed together with special brackets. Therefore, it will take less time to build it, and the work will be cheaper.

Low specific gravity. Polymer reinforcement is several times lighter than metal, which ultimately makes the entire structure lighter and allows the use of cellular concrete.

Frost resistance. Due to its low thermal conductivity, plastic, unlike metal, will not create cold areas that cause dangerous condensation, and the structure itself will have increased thermal insulation qualities.

Flexibility. This property allows you to reduce the time and cost of delivering reinforcement. Having rolled it into a ring, it can easily fit in any car, unlike iron, which often has to be cut into rods and then welded together.

Corrosion resistance. Plastic is not subject to any type of corrosion and does not change its properties for a long time, which indicates its durability. However, metal, being in concrete, without access to oxygen, will also serve for a very long time.

Fiberglass is a dielectric. This means that it is not susceptible to the influence of aggressive environments, which cannot be said about metal. This property will also affect the quality of radio signals - it will not create frequency interference when using satellite television systems and other others.

Application of composite reinforcement

Due to the fact that composite reinforcement is inferior to metal under fracture loads, it is widely used in low-rise construction, in the construction of building foundations, in the construction of fences and bank protection structures.

In addition to construction, it is actively used in repair work:

• Strengthening walls made of brickwork and various blocks;
• Strengthening dams, swimming pools and water protection structures (due to their insusceptibility to corrosion);
• It is used to connect floors made of wooden beams and beams to give them additional rigidity;
• Used in road construction work in areas of high load.

Dimensions of composite reinforcement

If the dimensions of iron reinforcement are clear, then you need to be more careful with the dimensions of composite reinforcement. Its outer diameter is determined in exactly the same way as that of a metal one, but due to design features, it has a somewhat oval shape of the inner diameter. Therefore, there are some nuances here.

To correctly determine the size, you need to measure the rod in two places: in the largest and in the smallest part of the internal diameter. Add the resulting numbers and divide by two to obtain the average value.

Fiberglass reinforcement is a convenient material for small private construction, which can be seen from numerous reviews from builders.

Therefore, if you decide to lay the foundation on your summer cottage, then feel free to give it preference. It is easy to use, lightweight and does not require additional costs.

Photo of composite fiberglass reinforcement

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Source: https://materialexpert.ru/kompozitnaya-stekloplastikovaya-armatura/

What is fiberglass reinforcement, its characteristics and types

What is fiberglass reinforcement?

Fiberglass reinforcement appeared not so long ago. However, in a fairly short period of time, it managed to gain wide popularity due to its special characteristics.

Significantly lighter than metal reinforcement, but not inferior to it in strength, fiberglass reinforcement can significantly reduce the weight of structures, which has a positive effect on their service life. The characteristics of fiberglass reinforcement are no worse than those of metal reinforcement, and some are even better.

In addition, the undeniable advantage of fiberglass reinforcement is its absolute imperviousness to corrosion. The material from which it is made does not conduct electricity and is not afraid of moisture. However, like any other building material, composite reinforcement also has its own certain disadvantages.

What is fiberglass reinforcement and what is it made of?

The main materials for the manufacture of fiberglass reinforcement are fiberglass fibers and composite materials.

The core of composite reinforcement is made of long glass fibers, which are heavily impregnated with chemically resistant polymers during the manufacturing process.

Types of fiberglass reinforcement

Depending on the type of reinforcing elements, the following types of fiberglass reinforcement are distinguished:

• ACC - such reinforcement is made using combined composite materials.
• AUK - using carbon composite reinforcing materials.
• ASK - the main material for the manufacture of reinforcement is fiberglass.

It is fiberglass reinforcement that has become most widespread in construction today.

Characteristics of fiberglass reinforcement

Fiberglass reinforcement has the following characteristics:

• Strength - 1100 MPa.
• Relative elongation - 2.2%.
• Density - 1.8 kg/m³.
• Corrosion resistance - does not rust.
• Thermal conductivity - conducts heat poorly.
• Electrical conductivity - dielectric.

The length of fiberglass reinforcement, unlike metal reinforcement, is practically unlimited. Upon request, you can purchase composite reinforcement of absolutely any length. As for durability, the service life of fiberglass reinforcement is at least 50 years.

As mentioned above, the main advantage of composite reinforcement over metal reinforcement is corrosion resistance and very low weight.

The latter indicator of fiberglass reinforcement is almost ten times lower than that of metal reinforcement. This significantly reduces the cost of delivering reinforcing products to the construction site and significantly facilitates the installation of reinforcing structures.

(4 5,00 out of 5)

Source: https://samastroyka.ru/chto-takoe-stekloplastikovaya-armatura.html

Fiberglass reinforcement - application, advantages and disadvantages

Let's try to figure this out and decide where the use of fiberglass reinforcement is justified and where it is not.

Such reinforcement is tied in almost the same way as regular reinforcement - using a hook for tying reinforcement.

Now let's look at everything in order - first consider the advantages and disadvantages of fiberglass reinforcement, and then, based on them, determine where its use would be appropriate. At the end of the article I will talk about my personal opinion regarding the use of fiberglass reinforcement .

Advantages and disadvantages of fiberglass reinforcement

Like any building material, fiberglass reinforcement has its own advantages and disadvantages compared to similar metal ones, which can be a serious help or hindrance in its use in various areas of construction.

Let's probably start with the advantages:

Advantages of fiberglass reinforcement

1. Low specific gravity . This advantage allows it to be used in lightweight structures, such as cellular concrete, etc. This property of fiberglass reinforcement makes it possible to reduce the weight of the entire structure.

It is worth noting that the use of fiberglass reinforcement in ordinary concrete will not significantly affect the weight of the structure, given that the main weight will be provided by the concrete itself.

2. Low thermal conductivity . As is known, fiberglass conducts heat through itself much worse than metal.

This advantage of fiberglass reinforcement allows it to be used where it is necessary to reduce the cold bridges that steel reinforcement so wonderfully creates.

3. Packing in coils . For the construction of private houses, this is a very significant advantage of fiberglass reinforcement, because you don’t have to spend money on its delivery to the site, and, as you know, when building a house, especially if you build it yourself, every penny counts.

In addition to the above, we can add that the use of fiberglass reinforcement in coils reduces its consumption, since there will be practically no overlaps in the reinforcement cage, and this will also slightly reduce financial costs.

4. Durability . Manufacturers rely on the fact that fiberglass, compared to metal, is much more durable.

This is a slightly dubious advantage of fiberglass reinforcement, given that the metal inside concrete is practically not subject to corrosion and inside a reinforced concrete structure will also last a very long time.

5. Dielectric . This property, most likely, in private construction does not give any advantages to fiberglass reinforcement over metal, but it should not be forgotten either.

6. Chemical resistance . This means that in acidic and other aggressive chemical environments, fiberglass reinforcement is much more comfortable than steel.

In low-rise private construction, this advantage of fiberglass, just like the previous one, plays practically no role, with the exception of construction in winter, when various salts are added to the mortar or concrete, which have a detrimental effect on the metal.

7. Radio transparency . This means that fiberglass reinforcement does not create any radio interference, unlike metal loops created by steel reinforcement.

Such an advantage of fiberglass reinforcement as radio transparency will play a significant role only if there is a lot of reinforcement in the walls of your house. Then the use of fiberglass reinforcement will reduce radio interference inside the house.

We've sorted out the advantages, now let's look at the disadvantages of fiberglass reinforcement used in construction.

Disadvantages of fiberglass reinforcement

Any material has disadvantages and fiberglass reinforcement is no exception.

1. Fiberglass reinforcement is more expensive than conventional steel when comparing reinforcement of the same diameter.

2. Thermally unstable . Fiberglass reinforcement does not withstand high temperatures.

It’s also a dubious drawback, because in low-rise private construction I can’t even imagine a situation where it would be necessary to heat the reinforcement to 200 degrees.

3. Does not bend . Thus, if we need, for example, to bend the reinforcement at an angle of 90 degrees, we will not be able to do this. Although, on the other hand, we can make all the bends from ordinary steel and extend them with fiberglass.

4. Low modulus of elasticity to fracture . This means that fiberglass reinforcement does not withstand the same loads as metal reinforcement.

Many manufacturers claim the opposite - that the modulus of elasticity of fiberglass reinforcement is greater, but this, most likely, they mean tensile, and concrete, as a rule, is subject to greater loads due to fracture. This is the main drawback due to which the use of fiberglass reinforcement in construction is limited.

5. Difficulty in constructing a rigid reinforcement frame . In other words, a frame made of fiberglass reinforcement is not as rigid as one made of metal, and, accordingly, is less resistant to vibration and loads that will be present when pouring concrete from a truck mixer.

So we have examined almost all the main advantages and disadvantages of fiberglass reinforcement. Judging by them, it is impossible to say with great confidence that it is significantly better or worse than metal reinforcement, so let’s look at in which building structures and structures the use of fiberglass reinforcement will be justified and advisable.

Application of fiberglass reinforcement in construction

The use of fiberglass reinforcement is justified in some cases, both in industrial construction and in private low-rise construction.

Regarding industrial construction, I think there’s no point in saying much; after all, the site is dedicated to building houses with your own hands, so let’s look at the scope of application of fiberglass reinforcement in private low-rise construction.

1. Fiberglass reinforcement is used in some types of foundations, such as strip foundations - buried below the freezing depth, slab foundations.

It is worth noting that this only applies to low-rise private buildings on good soil. On floating soils there will be increased fracture loads, which fiberglass reinforcement may not withstand.

2. It is advisable to use fiberglass reinforcement in the reinforcement of brick walls, walls made of blocks; very often you can see the reinforcement of walls made of gas silicate blocks with fiberglass reinforcement.

The use of fiberglass reinforcement in wall reinforcement is very popular among developers. Moreover, such reinforcement is used both as an element of reinforcement of the walls themselves, and as a connection between the facing wall and the load-bearing wall.

3. In multilayer panels as connections. Since there is usually dense insulation inside the panels, fiberglass reinforcement is used to bind the concrete parts together.

4. The use of fiberglass reinforcement in load-bearing parts of elements subject to increased corrosion, for example, swimming pools, is justified.

5. Fiberglass reinforcement is also widely used in reinforcing laminated wood beams, increasing their rigidity.

6. Asphalt reinforcement in areas of high loads, although I have never seen this before.

As you can see, the scope of application of fiberglass reinforcement in construction is quite wide, although there are some restrictions.

The author's opinion on the use of fiberglass reinforcement in construction

I believe that fiberglass reinforcement is not yet capable of completely replacing metal, but this does not mean that it can be completely neglected.

I widely use it in the construction of walls made of block and brick, also as connections between a facing wall and a load-bearing wall, since when using metal as connections, firstly, it will be susceptible to corrosion, and secondly, metal creates cold bridges, which are extremely undesirable in modern construction.

The use of fiberglass reinforcement in the foundation is also justified if you have a light building, for example, a frame house or garage.

If the site has weak soil and huge loads on the foundation are expected, I would not risk using reinforcement, which has less elasticity to fracture than metal.

Source: http://postroj-sam.ru/fundament-doma/stekloplastikovaya-armatura-primenenie-dostoinstva-i-nedostatki.html

Fiberglass reinforcement: structure, characteristics, scope of application

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The emergence of new technologies in various industries has not spared the construction industry.

New materials have appeared that have made it possible to reduce the time required for construction and installation work and reduce the weight of assembled structures, improve the thermal characteristics of constructed objects and their operational characteristics.

One of these materials that has appeared on the construction market of our country in recent years is fiberglass reinforcement, which will be discussed in this article by the editors of HomeMyHome.ru.

Appearance of reinforcement made of composite materials

Structure, standard sizes and operational characteristics of composite fiberglass reinforcement

A building material made of fiberglass fibers impregnated with a polymer binder, formed in the form of rods with ribs of a given size and cured during the production process, is called fiberglass reinforcement (FRP or FRP).

In its structure, the SPA is a rod consisting of two parts, such as:

• internal rod – provides the strength characteristics of the product and is made of fiberglass fibers placed parallel to each other or in the form of a pigtail, filled with polymer resin;
• outer layer - made of composite material fibers wound onto an internal rod or in the form of a fine abrasive applied by spraying.

Sectional view of SPA rod

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODNPoO5-axA

In addition to the fact that SPA differs in the type of outer layer, it is classified according to standard sizes accordingly:

• in diameter - from 4.0 to 18.0 mm;
• length – up to 12 m (when sold in the form of rods).

For your information! Fiberglass reinforcement with a diameter of up to 10.0 mm inclusive can be sold in the form of rods or in coils. If sold in the form of a coil, its length depends on the equipment on which it is manufactured. Reinforcement with a diameter of more than 10.0 mm is sold only in the form of rods.

The main performance characteristics for this material are the following:

1. Diameter – determines the bending and tensile strength limits of the product.
2. Weight – characterized by the weight of one linear meter of the product.
3. The winding pitch is for spas with a relief coating.

Composition of composite fiberglass reinforcement

Areas of application and types of fiberglass reinforcement

Currently, SPA is sold not only in the form of rods and coils, but is also offered in the form of reinforcing meshes and reinforcement cages of various shapes and overall dimensions.

Due to the variety of offers and successful experience in use, this material is used in various construction and installation works, as well as for the manufacture of various structures.

The main areas of use of fiberglass reinforcement are:

• reinforcement of concrete structures (wells, walls, etc.) and foundations;
• strengthening masonry made of bricks and blocks of various types;
• during the construction of roads and other types of surfaces;
• for strengthening embankments and other types of foundations.

For your information! SPA has also found its application in summer cottages: it is successfully used in the manufacture of greenhouses and greenhouses as arcs on which covering material is laid, as well as as fencing and supporting structures for fruit and vegetable crops.

Manufacturing of decorative fencing using SPA

Production and requirements for fiberglass reinforcement

The production of spas is a rather complex technological process that requires special equipment and raw materials. Aluminum borosilicate glass and an oil-containing polymer binder composition are used as feedstock.  

All the main elements of the SPA production line are shown in the following figure:

Layout diagram of the fiberglass reinforcement production line

“The production of fiberglass reinforcement is regulated by the Interstate Standard GOST 31938-2012 “Composite polymer reinforcement for the reinforcement of concrete structures. General technical conditions."

Pros and cons of composite fiberglass reinforcement

The reason that after its appearance on the market SPA became quite in demand were the positive qualities of this material, which include:

• light weight;
• resistance to oxidation and other types of corrosion;
• low thermal conductivity;
• long service life;
• is a dielectric (does not conduct electric current);
• Possibility of use without the use of welding equipment.

Disadvantages are also present, but they are much smaller, these are:

• relatively low thermal stability;
• low elasticity values.

Using SPA in the manufacture of foundations

Related article:

Tying reinforcement under a strip foundation is a reliable way to create a rigid metal frame for a reinforced concrete structure. We will tell you how to carry out this work correctly and without extra costs in this detailed material.

What to look for when choosing

When the choice fell on the use of fiberglass reinforcement when performing construction and installation work, then when purchasing it you should pay attention to such indicators as:

• Diameter - must correspond to the declared values.
• The color of the fittings must be uniform and with shades no darker than those in the declared characteristics.
• The quality of winding of the outer layer.
• Products must have appropriate quality certificates and test reports.

Important! The presence of SPA color in darker shades than those declared by the manufacturer indicates that the manufacturing temperature conditions were violated during the production process. Reinforcement of this color is burnt and its technical characteristics cannot correspond to the declared ones.

The flexibility of the SPA allows it to be used in the construction of structures of complex geometric shapes without cutting

When choosing a spa, it is best to initially find out the reputation of the company producing this material, for which you should read reviews on the Internet and in other sources of information.

“When winding the outer layer of reinforcement, pinching of the inner rod of the product should not be allowed, because otherwise, the strength characteristics of the spa will be compromised.”

Related article:

Which reinforcement is better: metal or fiberglass?

Which reinforcement to choose - metal or fiberglass - is decided at the stage of developing design documentation, or individually, based on a comparison of the main technical characteristics given in the table below:

CharacteristicsMetalFiberglass

Tensile strength, MPa	390	1300
Thermal conductivity coefficient, W/m²×K	46	0,35
Density, kg/m³	7850	1900
Elasticity	+	+
Plastic	+	—
Corrosion resistance	—	+
Dielectric properties	—	+

Use of SPA in the manufacture of enclosing structures

Leading manufacturers

The production of composite fiberglass reinforcement is carried out in many regions of our country. This especially applies to areas with developed industrial infrastructure, such as:

• Moscow and the Moscow region - "Moscow Composite Materials Plant", LLC "NPC "SPETSPOLIMER", LLC NPK "ARMASTEK" and others;
• St. Petersburg and Leningrad region - “Leader-Composite” and others;
• Yaroslavl - “Yaroslavl Composites Plant”;
• Ekaterinburg and Sverdlovsk region - Uralteplostroy, UZKT LLC, Elpromtekh LLC, NPF UralSpetsArmatura LLC;
• Saratov - LLC "Povolzhskaya Armatura" (Polarm).

For your information! In many cities, spa production is carried out by small enterprises operating at the local level, so if you need to find a similar production in your region, you need to study the building materials market.

A wide range of SPA allows you to choose not only by technical characteristics, but also by the form of implementation

Review of prices and user reviews of composite fiberglass reinforcement

The cost of a SPA depends on its technical characteristics, the place of purchase and the company selling it.

As of the third quarter of 2018, the average cost of fiberglass reinforcement, when sold through dealers of manufacturing companies, is:

Manufacturer Brand Diameter, mm Type of outer layer Cost (as of September, rub./p. meter

PC "Composite"	ASK	8,0	with coiling	11,9
10,0	17,9
12,0	26,9
TSA	8,0	with sand coating	13,9
10,0	23,9
12,0	38,9

Fiberglass reinforcement PC "Composite"

Manufacturer Brand Diameter, mm Type of outer layer Cost (as of September, rub./p. meter

"ArmatSoyuz"	SPA	4,0	with coiling	6,9
6,0	7,9
8,0	11,5
10,0	17,5
12,0	26,9
14,0	42,9
16,0	60,9
18,0	94,9

Fiberglass reinforcement "ArmatSoyuz"

Manufacturer Brand Diameter, mm Type of outer layer Cost (as of September, rub./p. meter

"Armplast"	ASK	4,0	with coiling	5,5
6,0	7,9
8,0	11,5
10,0	17,9
12,0	26,9
14,0	42,74
16,0	60,52
18,0	94,32
20,0	117,6
22,0	138,99
25,0	180,17
28,0	223,10
32,0	292,74
36,0	312,80

Fiberglass reinforcement "Armplast"

SPA is a popular product in the building materials market of our country

Based on the use of spas, individual developers and professional builders leave their reviews on the Internet. Here are some of them:

review of use when pouring a foundation

Feedback on pouring a slab foundation:

Reviews from experts: 

Feedback on use when pouring a strip foundation:

Source: https://HomeMyHome.ru/stekloplastikovaya-armatura.html

Fiberglass reinforcement: characteristics and application of composite glass reinforcement

Fiberglass reinforcement, which appeared on the domestic market relatively recently, has become a worthy alternative to traditional rods made of metal. Glass reinforcement, as this material is also called, has many unique characteristics that set it apart from other products of similar purpose. Meanwhile, the choice of fiberglass reinforcement should be taken very carefully.

Fiberglass reinforcement in packs

What is fiberglass reinforcement

Fiberglass reinforcement, if you understand its design features, is a non-metallic rod, on the surface of which a winding of fiberglass is applied. The diameter of the spiral profile of reinforcement made of composite materials can vary in the range of 4–18 mm. If the rod diameter of such reinforcement does not exceed 10 mm, then it is sold to the customer in coils; if it exceeds, then in rods, the length of which can reach up to 12 meters.

For the manufacture of composite reinforcement, various types of reinforcing fillers can be used, depending on this, it is divided into several categories:

• ASK – products made on the basis of fiberglass;
• AUK – carbon composite reinforcing products;
• ACC – reinforcement made of combined composite materials.

In the domestic market, fiberglass reinforcement is most widespread.

Various fiberglass reinforcement bars

Features of the structure

Fiberglass reinforcement is not just a rod made of composite material. It consists of two main parts.

• The inner rod consists of parallel fiberglass fibers connected to each other using a polymer resin. Some manufacturers produce reinforcement, the fibers of the inner trunk of which are not parallel to each other, but are curled into a pigtail. It should be noted that it is the inner rod of the fiberglass reinforcement that forms its strength characteristics.
• The outer layer of a reinforcing bar made of fiberglass can be made in the form of bidirectional winding of fibers of a composite material or in the form of spraying of fine abrasive powder.

Fiberglass reinforcing bars with abrasive coating

The design of fiberglass reinforcement bars, which largely determines their technical and strength characteristics, depends on the imagination of the manufacturers and the manufacturing technologies they use for this material.

How and from what are fiberglass reinforcement made?

Many people are familiar with fiberglass reinforcement not only from photos on the Internet, but also from practical use in construction, but few people know how it is produced. The technological process for the production of fiberglass reinforcing bars, which is very interesting to watch on video, is easy to automate and can be implemented on the basis of both large and small production enterprises.

Technological line for the production of fiberglass reinforcement

To produce such a building material, it is first necessary to prepare the raw material, which is aluminoborsilicate glass. To give the raw material the required degree of ductility, it is melted in special furnaces and threads with a thickness of 10–20 microns are drawn from the resulting mass.

The thickness of the resulting threads is so small that if you take them in a photo or video, you won’t be able to see them without enlarging the resulting image. An oil-containing composition is applied to the glass fibers using a special device. Then they are formed into bundles, which are called glass roving.

It is these bundles, assembled from many thin threads, that are the basis of fiberglass reinforcement and largely form its technical and strength characteristics.

Device for heating and separating threads

After the fiberglass strands are prepared, they are fed to the production line, where they are turned into reinforcing bars of various diameters and different lengths. The further technological process, which can be seen from numerous videos on the Internet, is as follows.

• Through special equipment (a creel), the threads are fed to a tensioning device, which simultaneously performs two tasks: it equalizes the tension present in the glass threads, arranges them in a certain sequence, and forms the future reinforcing bar.
• Bundles of threads, on the surface of which an oil-containing composition has previously been applied, are sprayed with hot air, which is necessary not only for drying them, but also for slight heating.
• Bunches of threads heated to the required temperature are lowered into special baths, where they are impregnated with a binder, also heated to a certain temperature.
• Then the bundles of threads are passed through a mechanism, with the help of which the final formation of the reinforcing bar of the required diameter is carried out.
• If reinforcement is manufactured not with a smooth, but with a relief profile, then immediately after leaving the calibration mechanism, bundles of glass fibers are wound onto the main rod.
• To speed up the process of polymerization of binder resins, the finished reinforcing bar is fed into a tunnel kiln, before entering which a layer of fine sand is applied to the bars made without coiling.
• After leaving the furnace, when the fiberglass reinforcement is almost ready, the rods are cooled with running water and submitted for cutting or to a mechanism for winding them into coils.

The cutting mechanism is the last link in the production of composite reinforcement

Thus, the technological process of manufacturing fiberglass reinforcement is not so complicated, as can be judged even from photos or videos of its individual stages. Meanwhile, such a process requires the use of special equipment and strict adherence to all regimes.

Source: http://met-all.org/metalloprokat/sortovoj/stekloplastikovaya-armatura-kompozitnaya-stekloarmatura.html