Fiberglass Grating

Fiberglass-reinforced plastic (FRP) grating—also referred to as fiberglass grating—is a resin-fiberglass composite material used for the surfaces of walkways, stairs, platforms, and other load-bearing structures. It is available in pultruded and molded forms, both of which can be customized to meet specific performance and safety requirements.

Pultruded fiberglass gratings are fabricated from corrosion-resistant I- or T- bars that are connected and secured through a unique notch and groove bar system. They are suitable for applications that require high strength and stiffness. Molded fiberglass gratings are molded and cured into the desired shape. They are ideal for structures that need extensive fabrication and cutting as well as applications that involve corrosive compounds or require a large open area.

At Creative Composites Group, we supply both molded and pultruded FRP gratings.

Molded Fiberglass Gratings

How are Molded Fiberglass Gratings Made?

The process of making molded fiberglass gratings begins with layering liquid resin and glass fibers inside of a rigid, open, and heated mold. This step continues until the desired thickness and dimensions are achieved. Afterward, the filled mold is placed aside to cure. When the resin-fiberglass layers have fully cured, the component is extracted from the mold, and the mold is cleaned and prepared for reuse.

Advantages of Molded Grating

There are many advantages to choosing molded FRP gratings over alternative grating systems, such as:

• One-piece construction: The molding process allows fiberglass gratings to be fabricated as one-piece systems, which results in enhanced strength and sturdiness. Due to their bidirectional load-bearing design, molded grating systems can also handle much higher loads than other grating materials.
• Enhanced durability: The high proportion of resin used in molded fiberglass grating provides excellent resistance to corrosion, UV light, impact, and other environmental and mechanical stresses. These qualities also make them easier to maintain and allow them to perform reliably for years, even in high-load applications and extreme environments.
• Improved ergonomics: The higher resin concentration also makes molded fiberglass gratings more flexible, which helps reduce worker fatigue.
• Reduced weight: Fiberglass grating systems are significantly lighter in weight than their concrete and steel counterparts, making them easier and, consequently, less expensive to install.

Other key characteristics of molded gratings include electromagnetic transparency and electrical and thermal resistivity.

Applications of Molded Gratings

Molded fiberglass gratings are well-suited for highly corrosive environments or applications involving large cut-outs. Typical uses include: 

• Boat docks
• Catwalks
• Equipment/machinery guards
• Platforms
• Ramps
• Stairs
• Trenches
• Walkways

Pultruded Fiberglass Gratings

How Are Pultruded Fiberglass Gratings Made?

The fiberglass pultrusion process utilizes a caterpillar-like machine to pull the fiberglass material through the various steps. First, fiberglass strands are guided into parallel bundles that run across the length of the component. Then, fiberglass mat is added to provide multidirectional reinforcement. Next, resin is applied to the fiberglass materials, and a surface veil is wrapped around the entire assembly. Afterward, the composite is pulled through a heated die, which cures it. Finally, the cured material is cut to the desired lengths with a cut-off saw, and the individual bars are assembled to form grating panels.

Advantages of Pultruded Gratings

Pultruded fiberglass grating has similar characteristics to molded fiberglass grating, including:

• Corrosion and UV resistance
• Light weight
• Low maintenance
• Long service life
• Electrical and thermal resistivity
• Electromagnetic transparency

However, the pultrusion process itself provides additional advantages, such as:

• Enhanced load-bearing capabilities: Pultruded fiberglass grating features a higher glass-to-resin ratio, which increases its stiffness, strength, and load-bearing capacity along the length of the component.
• Increased design and installation flexibility: Since pultruded fiberglass grating systems are assembled rather than molded, they can be made in a wider range of sizes and installed in a greater number of ways.
• Reduced waste: Compared to the molding process, the pultrusion process uses materials more efficiently, which reduces the amount of material waste produced.

Applications of Pultruded Gratings

Due to its higher fiberglass concentration, pultruded fiberglass grating is the ideal choice for applications where strength and stiffness are prioritized over flexibility and ergonomics. Typical uses include:

• Boat docks
• Catwalks
• Platforms
• Ramps
• Stairs
• Trenches
• Walkways