1. Fiberglass piping boasts excellent physical properties. The density of fiberglass pipe materials ranges from 1.8 to 2.1, about one-fourth that of steel. It has a higher specific strength than steel, cast iron, and plastic. The weight of fiberglass piping is generally not more than one-third of the same-sized steel pipe. It exhibits superior mechanical properties. Moreover, the expansion coefficient of fiberglass pipes is roughly equivalent to that of steel, while its thermal conductivity is only 0.5% of steel's, making it an excellent thermal and electrical insulator.
2. Glass steel pipes are resistant to chemical corrosion and have a long service life, making them suitable for transporting various media such as acids, alkalis, salts, and organic solvents.
3. Glass fiber reinforced plastic (GFRP) pipelines have excellent hydraulic properties, which are one of the key features of GFRP pipes. Superior hydraulic properties mean less fluid head loss, allowing for the use of smaller pipe diameters or lower-powered transport pumps. This can reduce the initial investment in pipeline projects, save on electrical energy, and lower operating costs. The inner surface of GFRP is extremely smooth, with a typical surface roughness of 0.008. It can be virtually considered a "hydraulically smooth pipe." During operation, the inner surfaces of steel, cast iron, and concrete pipes often experience localized corrosion, becoming increasingly rough, while GFRP maintains the smoothness of a new pipe.
4. The installation and maintenance costs of glass steel pipes are low. Generally, no special anti-corrosion treatment is required for glass steel pipes; the insulation layer can be thinned, or no additional insulation treatment is needed. The pipes are lighter, requiring less lifting equipment tonnage and power consumption. Glass steel pipes are longer than cement 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. FRP piping offers high design flexibility and a short modification cycle. FRP is a fiber-reinforced material, where fibers are浸入树脂基体中, and are layered around a mandrel according to specific process conditions, then cured appropriately to form the pipe. The pipe wall is a layered structure, which allows for adjustments to the FRP's physical and chemical properties by changing the resin system or using different reinforcing materials. This enables the production of FRP piping with various pressure ratings or specific performance characteristics to suit different media and operating conditions. The short modification cycle is a significant feature of fiber-wrapped composite materials, distinguishing them from isotropic metallic piping materials.
