Pultrusion is a process of manufacturing the continuous fiber reinforced composite profiles. The manufacturing procedure is quite similar to the extrusion wherein the molten metal or plastic is pushed through a dye. The only exception is that in pultrusion, the material is pulled out through the dye. This process is considered to be an effective way for manufacturing FRP products. This process facilitates the manufacturers to construct lengths of FRP composite shapes.
This process was invented by Brandt Goldsworthy, a well known pioneer of the FRP products. The FRP pultruded materials tend to have a superior and long term resistant to the effects of heat, electricity and chemical reaction. The pultrusions are widely used in various industries for manufacturing the best building materials for their projects. In other words, these FRP shapes would neither rust nor rot, making them perfect for being widely used in various fields.
The Pultrusion Process
- At first, the raw fiber, be it carbon or glass, is pulled off the rolls from a creel racking system.
- The fiber is pulled in through a mixture of the thermosetting resin which is polyester resin, epoxy or urethane.
- Via the implementation of the guiding system, the resin soaked fiber is passed through a heated dye. At the point of entrance of the dye is usually kept cool, in order to avoid the curing the resin. At the same time, the excess of resin is squeezed off.
- As the composition of fiber and resin is pulled through the heated dye, the resin is in the form of a fully formed product.
This entire process is smoothly executed with the help of the sets of “grippers” or “pullers” which constantly move. The end part of the pultrusion machine is a cut off saw which cuts the pultruded products into desired lengths. These pultruded products offer the manufacturers as well as the users with the following advantages:
- Resistance to corrosion
- Resistance to chemical reaction
- Non-conductor of heat and electricity
- Highly durable and strong
- Resistance to impact or heavy pressure
- Stability in terms of dimensions
- Low costs for maintenance
There are few industries which have completely incorporated the pultrusion process. The most commonly used examples of the pultruded products are ladder rails, fiberglass window & door frames and tool handles. In terms of the ladder rails, these FRP rails have reduced the accidents occurring via slips and falls. There are numerous other applications for the pultrusions, most of which are usually hidden. These can be as a part of some power plant, semi truck trailer or even in the armors worn by our soldiers.
To sum up, it can be said that the advent of FRP products has totally changed the face of the construction industry. Now buildings & other constructions are being made safer and stronger with the implication of the fiber-reinforced polymer products.
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