Glass fibre reinforced polymer (GRP) panel (3mm, 4.5mm, 6mm, 8mm, 10mm)
Polymer-Based FRP
ATLAS CODE
COM-FRC-PFR-001
Category composite
Material Family Fibre-Reinforced
Regulatory Status Combustible (fails AS 1530.1), Group 4 (AS/NZS 3837)
Density
Not specified (varies by glass/resin content) kg/m³
Carbon (A1-A5)
Glass fibre: 1.2-1.7 kgCO2e/kg, Resin: 2.0-3.5 kgCO2e/kg kgCO₂e
Fire Class
Combustible (fails AS 1530.1), Group 4 (AS/NZS 3837)
Lifespan
25-50 years (properly maintained) yrs
Description
GRP (glass-fibre reinforced plastic) flat panels are produced by continuous lamination using polyester resin and glass fibre reinforcement. Manufacturer data for flat GRP panels indicates tensile strength >50 MPa, bending strength 80-90 MPa, and modulus of elasticity 6-7 GPa; properties vary with fibre content, resin type and panel thickness.
Primary Sectors
[Industrial][Transport & Infrastructure]
Typical Uses
- Architectural cladding and facades
- Industrial wall and roof panels
- Chemical plant infrastructure
- Food processing facilities (FDA-approved grades)
- Marine and coastal structures
- Transport infrastructure (walkways, platforms)
- Mining sector applications (non-sparking)
- Agricultural buildings
- Water storage tanks
- Sound barriers
- Translucent roofing (40-74% light transmission)
- Cooling tower components
Recycled Content 0-15% (potential for glass filler)
Renewable Content 0-5% (bio-based resins emerging)
Recyclability 44% (production waste), 5-15% (post-consumer)
Embodied Carbon Glass fibre: 1.2-1.7 kgCO2e/kg, Resin: 2.0-3.5 kgCO2e/kg kgCO₂e
Embodied Energy 45-85 MJ/kg (fibre: 28-54, resin: 85-120) MJ/kg
EPD Available Yes
Advantages
Excellent corrosion resistance (pH 2-12)High strength-to-weight ratio25-50 year service lifeLow maintenance requirements (0.5-1% annual cost)Non-conductive electrical propertiesUV stable with proper gel coatVersatile manufacturing methodsDesign flexibility for complex shapesImpact resistantChemical resistantNon-magnetic propertiesLightweight (35-50% of steel weight)
Cautions
Higher embodied carbon than traditional materials (2.5-4.5 kgCO2e/kg)Limited fire resistance without additivesAnisotropic properties requiring design considerationSpecialised installation skills requiredHigher initial cost than some alternativesLimited recycling infrastructure (5-15% post-consumer)Temperature sensitivity during installation (7.5-35°C)Potential for gel coat degradationVOC emissions during manufacturingBrittleness under point loadsPoor acoustic performance without enhancement (STC 25-35)
TECHNICAL DATA: PERFORMANCE PROPERTIES COM-FRC-PFR-001
Density (Dry) Not specified (varies by glass/resin content) kg/m³
Specific Gravity 1.6-2.0
Porosity 0.5-2.0% %
Water Absorption 0.15-0.3% (24-hour immersion) %
Hardness 40-60 Barcol (typical 50-55)
Surface Roughness Ra 0.5-2.0 μm (smooth gel coat), Ra 10-50 μm (textured) μm
UV Resistance Excellent with UV-stabilised gel coat (<5% degradation over 10 years)
Chemical Resistance Excellent (pH 2-12 tolerance)
pH Tolerance 2-12
Compressive Strength 200-400 MPa (typical commercial panels) MPa
Tensile Strength >= 50 MPa (Lariver GRP flat panels) MPa
Flexural Strength 80-90 MPa (bending strength) MPa
Shear Strength 50-70 MPa (in-plane), 25-35 MPa (interlaminar) MPa
Elastic Modulus 6-7 GPa (modulus of elasticity) GPa
Yield Strength 150-300 MPa MPa
Impact Resistance 3mm: 400-600 J/m, 6mm: 850-1,200 J/m, 10mm: 1,300-2,000 J/m (Izod) J/m
Bearing Capacity 150-250 MPa kN/m²
Poisson's Ratio 0.25-0.35 (major), 0.02-0.08 (minor)
Creep Resistance Excellent (<0.1% strain at 25% ultimate stress over 50 years)
Abrasion Resistance Taber H-18 wheel: 25-45 mg/1000 cycles
Thermal Conductivity 0.2-0.4 W/m·K W/mK
Thermal Resistance 3mm: 0.0075-0.015, 6mm: 0.015-0.030, 10mm: 0.025-0.050 m²·K/W m²K/W
Specific Heat Capacity 2,300 J/kg·K J/kgK
Thermal Expansion 10-36 × 10⁻⁶/°C (pultrusion: 10, press-moulded: 36) μm/m·K
Melting Point Does not melt (thermoset), chars at 300-400°C °C
Ignition Temperature 400-500°C °C
Sound Transmission Class (STC) 25-35 (solid panels), 40-50 (sandwich construction)
Noise Reduction Coeff. (NRC) 0.05-0.15 (smooth), 0.4-0.8 (perforated/sandwich)
Optical
Light Transmittance 0% (opaque), 40-74% (translucent grades) %
Light Reflectance (LRV) 60-85% (white gel coat), 5-20% (dark colours) %
Solar Reflectance (SRI) 70-90 (white), 0-30 (dark colours)
Glass fibre reinforced plastics emerged in the 1940s for military applications, entering construction markets in the 1950s. Australian adoption accelerated in the 1970s for industrial applications, particularly in mining and chemical processing. Modern formulations incorporate fire retardants, UV stabilisers, and improved resin systems. The material gained prominence in Australian infrastructure projects from the 1990s, with established supply chains and technical standards developing through the 2000s. Current focus centres on sustainability improvements through recycling technology and bio-based resin development.
SAFETY, ECOLOGY & INSTALLATION COM-FRC-PFR-001
Flame Spread Index 200-500 (standard), 25-200 (fire-retardant)
Smoke Developed Index 300-800 (standard), 50-450 (fire-retardant)
Combustibility Class Combustible (fails AS 1530.1), Group 4 (AS/NZS 3837)
Ignition Temperature 400-500°C °C
Fire Resistance Rating Non-rated (standard), up to 60 minutes (fire-retardant grades) hours
Heat Release Rate >500 kW/m² (standard), <300 kW/m² (fire-retardant) kW/m²
Toxicity of Combustion Moderate (CO, CO2, trace HCl with fire retardants)
Embodied Carbon (A1-A3) Glass fibre: 1.2-1.7 kgCO2e/kg, Resin: 2.0-3.5 kgCO2e/kg kgCO₂e/kg
Embodied Energy 45-85 MJ/kg (fibre: 28-54, resin: 85-120) MJ/kg
Water Footprint 25-40 L/kg L/kg
EPD Available Yes
LEED Points 2-4 points (Materials & Resources, Indoor Environment)
Circular Economy Score 35/100 (improving with recycling technology) /100
VOC Emissions Manufacturing: 30-150 g/L, Cured: <10 g/L g/L
Skill Level Intermediate to Advanced
Crew Size 2-3 (small projects), 5+ (large installations)
Installation Time 1-2 m²/hour (flat sheets), 0.5-1 m²/hour (complex) hr/m²
Curing Time Initial: 30-40 minutes, Full: 24-48 hours hours
Setting Time Gel time: 15-30 minutes (temperature dependent) min
Temperature Range Installation: 7.5-35°C, Optimal: 15-25°C °C
Humidity Range 30-85% RH %
Required Tools
Diamond-tipped saw bladesRouter with carbide bitsDrill with HSS or carbide bitsPersonal protective equipmentResin mixing equipment75mm woven glass tapeMEK peroxide catalystMeasuring and marking tools
Certifications Required
White Card (construction induction)Working at Heights (if applicable)Chemical Handling Certificate (for resin work)
Weather Limitations
No rain during installationTemperature: 7.5-35°CHumidity: <85%Wind: <30 km/h
COMMERCIAL, LOGISTICS & REGULATORY COM-FRC-PFR-001
Material Cost AUD $25-75/m² (varies by grade and thickness)
Installation Cost AUD $15-35/m²
Annual Maintenance 0.5-1% of initial cost
Lifecycle Cost (50yr) AUD $40-120/m² over 25 years
Market Availability Good (domestic production + imports)
Lead Time Standard: 2-4 weeks, Custom: 8-16 weeks weeks
Design Life 25-50 years (properly maintained) years
Warranty Period 3-10 years (manufacturer dependent) years
Maintenance Interval Inspection: Annual, Cleaning: Biannual months
Service Temp Range -40°C to +80°C (continuous), -50°C to +110°C (intermittent) °C
Freeze/Thaw Resistance Excellent (>300 cycles without degradation)
Dimensional Stability Excellent (<0.2% change over service life)
DISCLAIMER: This specification document is generated from the CLAD Materials Atlas Database. Information is for general guidance only and does not constitute professional engineering advice. Values are typical and may vary by batch, manufacturer, and production run. Verify suitability for specific project applications independently.