Fiberglass pipes possess excellent physical properties; the density of fiberglass pipe materials ranges from 1.8 to 2.1, approximately one-fourth that of steel. They have a higher specific strength than steel, cast iron, and plastic, and typically weigh no more than one-third of the same-sized steel pipe. These pipes exhibit superior mechanical properties. Additionally, the expansion coefficient of fiberglass pipes is roughly equivalent to that of steel, while their thermal conductivity is only 0.5% of steel's, making them excellent insulators for both heat and electricity.
2. Glass steel pipes are resistant to chemical corrosion and have a long service life, making them suitable for conveying various media such as acids, alkalis, salts, and organic solvents.
3. Fiberglass pipe boasts excellent hydraulic properties, which are a key characteristic of fiberglass pipes. Superior hydraulic properties imply minimal head loss in fluid flow, allowing for the use of smaller pipe diameters or lower-powered conveying pumps. This, in turn, reduces initial pipeline project investments, saves electrical energy, and lowers operating costs. The inner surface of fiberglass is quite smooth, with a typical surface roughness of 0.008, making it nearly equivalent to a "hydraulically smooth pipe." During operation, the inner surfaces of steel pipes, cast iron pipes, and concrete pipes often suffer from localized corrosion, becoming increasingly rough, whereas fiberglass consistently maintains the smooth surface of new pipes.
4. Glass steel pipe installations and maintenance costs are low. Generally, glass steel pipes do not require special anti-corrosion treatment; the insulation layer can be made thinner, or even no additional insulation is needed. The pipes are relatively lightweight, requiring smaller crane equipment tonnage and less power consumption. Glass steel pipes are longer than concrete pipes and cast iron pipes, resulting in fewer joints, which all contribute to reduced installation and maintenance costs, a fact proven by numerous engineering practices both domestically and internationally.
5. Glass fiber reinforced plastic (GFRP) piping offers high design flexibility and a short modification cycle. GFRP is made by wrapping fiber-reinforced materials, soaked in a resin matrix, around a mandrel in a specific process, followed by appropriate curing. The pipe wall is a layered structure that can be adjusted for various physical and chemical properties of the GFRP by changing the resin system or using different reinforcing materials. This allows for the production of GFRP pipes with different pressure ratings or specific performance characteristics to suit various media and working conditions. The short modification cycle is a significant feature of fiber-wrapped composite materials, which cannot be matched by anisotropic metal piping.
