A fiber-reinforced polymer is a plastic material reinforced with fibers from carbon, fiberglass or aramid. The polymer itself can be vinylester, polyester thermosetting plastic or epoxy. Fiber-reinforced plastics are used in the construction, architecture, aerospace, marine and automotive industries for a wide variety of uses. These include piping, tanks, bridge supports, building construction and machinery.

Fiber-reinforced polymer is used mainly for its strength. These polymers flex slightly when a heavy load is applied, and then return to their original orientation when the load is removed. Fiber-reinforced polymer is also very durable and easy to install.

1. Fiber-reinforced polymer is corrosion and fire resistant, as well as electromagnetically neutral. In applications where fire or corrosion is a concern, this type of polymer works well.

2. Fiber-reinforced polymer holds up well in earthquakes due to its anti-seismic behavior. Because the fiber can flex with stress, it's less likely to break during an earthquake.

3. Fiber-reinforced polymer will eventually become deformed if subjected to long-term heavy loads. This limits its use in areas where the load will be nearly constant.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find fiber-reinforced polymer retrofitting and repair

Some construction and engineering companies specialize in repairing and retrofitting buildings and manufacturing machinery with fiber-reinforced polymer to maintain stability and strength. This is especially important for projects like bridges, tanks or buildings in earthquake-prone areas.

I recommend: Request a quote for QuakeWrap's retrofitting or repair services on its fiber-reinforced polymer list. Check out Peabody Engineering's repair service for more industry-specific repairs.

Choose a fiber-reinforced polymer provider

Manufacturers of fiber-reinforced polymer often provide many different types of polymer and a wide variety of fiber options, so you can pick the one best suited for your particular needs. Depending on what type of structural integrity or resistance properties you need, a manufacturer can sometimes specifically design fiber-reinforced polymers with your industry in mind.

I recommend: Buy fiber-reinforced polymer from Creative Pultrusions, or get custom designed and molded fiber-reinforced polymer from Hanlon Industries.

Buy parts made of fiber-reinforced polymer

Things like fittings, pipes and tanks are sometimes made of fiber-reinforced polymer. Information on the exact integrity and composition of each part is usually available on the website of the manufacturer or from a distributor. It's important to make sure that any products you purchase are code-complaint in the area where you plan to use them.

I recommend: Buy industrial size brine tanks from Belding Tank Technologies or check out the selection of chemical tanks from Plas-Tanks.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Projects created with fiber-reinforced polymer weigh less, making structural support on tanks, bridges and machinery easier and increasing the weight your product can handle. This is especially important if you require your tank or bridge to handle very large loads without warping.