1. Glass fiber reinforced plastic (GRP) pipes boast excellent physical properties. The specific gravity of GRP pipes ranges from 1.8 to 2.1, approximately one-fourth that of steel. They have higher specific strength than steel, cast iron, and plastic, with the weight of GRP pipes typically not exceeding one-third of that of steel pipes of the same size. They exhibit superior physical and mechanical properties. Additionally, the expansion coefficient of GRP pipes is roughly equivalent to that of steel, and their thermal conductivity is only 0.5% of steel, making them excellent thermal and electrical insulators.
2. Glass steel pipes are resistant to chemical corrosion and have a long service life, suitable for transporting various mediums such as acids, alkalis, salts, and organic solvents.
3. Fiberglass pipe exhibits excellent hydraulic properties, which are one of the key characteristics of glass steel pipes. Superior hydraulic properties mean lower fluid head loss, allowing for the use of smaller pipe diameters or pumps with less power, thereby reducing initial investment in pipeline projects, saving electricity, and lowering operational costs. The inner surface of fiberglass is quite smooth, with a typical surface roughness of 0.008, which can almost be considered a "hydraulically smooth pipe." During operation, the inner surfaces of steel pipes, cast iron pipes, and cement pipes often suffer from localized corrosion, becoming increasingly rough, whereas fiberglass maintains its smooth surface condition akin to a new pipe.
4. Glass steel pipe installation and maintenance costs are low. Generally, glass steel pipes do not require special anti-corrosion treatment; the insulation layer can be thinned, or no additional insulation is needed; the pipes are lighter, requiring less lifting equipment tonnage and power consumption. The length of glass steel pipes is longer than that of cement pipes and cast iron pipes, resulting in fewer joints, which all contribute to reduced installation and maintenance costs. This has been proven by numerous engineering practices both domestically and internationally.
5. FRP piping offers high design flexibility and a short modification cycle. FRP is made by wrapping fiber-reinforced materials浸有树脂基体的纤维增强材料, soaked in a resin matrix, around a mandrel according to specific process conditions and then curing appropriately. The pipe wall is a layered structure, which can be adjusted for various physical and chemical properties of the FRP piping by altering the resin system or using different reinforcing materials. This allows for the production of FRP piping with different pressure ratings or specific performance characteristics to accommodate various media and working conditions. The short modification cycle is a notable feature of fiber-wrapped composite materials, making them superior to isotropic metallic piping materials in this aspect.
