The introduction of fiberglass has helped modernize numerous industries, but it is infrastructure construction that has truly been revolutionized by the use of fiberglass.
The pipes made by a fiberglass conduit manufacturer can house wires much more effectively. It can be used in so many construction projects because fiberglass is both lightweight and strong, it offers resistance to chemicals and extreme temperatures, it can reinforce both plastic resins and even concrete, and it is even cost-effective to use.
Fiberglass Conduits
Utility companies need to distribute large networks of wires all over the place, and these have to be protected and housed in fiberglass conduits to protect them. These conduits are insulated against electricity, and what’s more, they also offer a very low coefficient of friction. This means that installation is much smoother because wires can be pulled through the pipes more easily.
These fiberglass conduits are everywhere, as they can also be used to transport waste materials from manufacturing plants. In fact, these fiberglass pipes can even be used for homes.
Fiberglass Insulation
Many construction projects incorporate fiberglass for insulation in their infrastructure projects. In fact, fiberglass has been used for insulation for both residential and commercial projects for decades.
Fiberglass is ideal for insulation because of its low coefficient of thermal expansion, high thermal conductivity, and enduring strength even at high temperatures. Fiberglass is can be made from partially recycled materials so they’re somewhat environmentally friendly, and of course, the cost-effectiveness of fiberglass materials is always a plus.
Fiberglass in Concrete
Concrete can be reinforced with fibers, and these fibers can be either glass or steel. Fiberglass offers tremendous benefits to concrete as the addition of 10% fiberglass by volume effectively doubles the tensile strength of the concrete. In addition, the impact resistance of the concrete multiplies by 10. The glass fibers are even as resistant to fatigue as steel fibers.
Fiberglass-reinforced concrete can be found in waterworks and drainage, building renovation, bridge and tunnel lining panels, architectural cladding, and acoustic screens and barriers.
Fiberglass Cladding
Cladding refers to the coating or covering on a material or a structure. The installation of fiberglass cladding adds an extra layer of strength into a structure for greater stability. Today, self-supporting fiberglass components can be added to builds on a large-scale basis. The fiberglass can be created into shapes that cannot be created with other conventional building materials.
Fiberglass Flame Resistance
When polymers with low thermal conductivity are partnered with high-temperature glass fibers, the resulting mix is one of the most flame-resistant building materials ever. The innate durability of the fiberglass adds to the flame-resistance of the material. Fiberglass, unlike conventional building materials, does not degrade over time. So the materials embedded with fiberglass don’t create weak spots that fire can severely damage.
Weather Proof Communications Structures
Communications structures need to make sure that their telecom equipment can function efficiently even in extreme weather and environments. Fiberglass works very well in weatherproofing such structures so that the telecom equipment can work even in places such as Alaska or even the Arctic.
Fiberglass in Bridges
Fiberglass reinforced polymer-concrete deck panels have now been used for bridges, and the fiberglass materials solve problems regarding cable bridges repair. It’s very difficult to repair cable bridges, and ordinary concrete is unsuitable for the decking as it degrades over time. But the fiberglass-reinforced materials on such bridges can have the bridge go on for more than a hundred years without any significant repairs needed.
Materials reinforced with fiberglass can strengthen and improve a wide array of structures. This is why fiberglass is in numerous infrastructure projects, and why your typical fiberglass conduit manufacturer is so busy these days.