GRP Rebars

FRP Rebars is Corrosion and deterioration of steel reinforced concrete creates a significant maintenance and replacement demand. The costs to mitigate or remediate structures due to rebar/concrete corrosion are high. IM Composite GRP (Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer)  rebar provides a non corrosive reinforcement to concrete that provides the necessary strength and reinforcement, significantly enhancing service life of the reinforced concrete. Composite rebar is 1/4 the weight of steel and has a tensile strength greater than steel.

One of the main reasons for considering GRP bars for concrete reinforcement is that steel corrodes in concrete subjected to harsh environments, resulting in loss of strength and structural integrity. Highway structures are particularly prone to this corrosion, as they are exposed to the outdoor environment and to deicing salts in colder climates. It is essential that all tensile reinforcing elements, including GRP bars to be used in concrete structures, retain sufficient strength capabilities during the expected life of the concrete structure.

This unique Glass Fiber reinforced bars construction material is composed of fiberglass and thermosetting resins. The glass fiber guarantees the high strength of the reinforcing bars, while the resin assures the corrosion resistance. Main advantages of the composite glass fiber rebar are its light weight combined with high strength.

Now a day’s glass fiber rebar has found in an extensive industrial application in construction industry all over the world, e.g. it is used in construction of skyscrapers in United Arab Emirates, it is more and more used in European countries, and in Japan it is becoming the only kind of rebar to be applied when constructing earthquake-resistant structures (seismic designs).

  • Lighter in weight,

About 9 times lighter and 3 times more tensile when comparison with steel rebar from Class A-III.

  • Long Service Life
  • Minimization of repair work and increases durability of the reinforced construction design.
  • Resistant to corrosion, alkalies, acids.
  • It does not create electromagnetic interferences, does not conduct heat.
  • Non conductivity- High dielectric strength
  • Low thermal conductivity of fiberglass provides for additional preservation of heat indoors.
  • Unlike metal rebar, composite rebar does not cause short circuits inside concrete constructions.
  • Composite rebar is easy to cut; one can cut it with an angle grinder or a cross-cut, and for cutting the rebar of small diameters scissors or cutting pliers can be applied.
  • Simpler and more economic to transport.

Available Sizes and Comparative technical characteristics of fiberglass rebar and steel reinforcement:

Comparison characteristics of composite reinforcing bars and steel reinforcement A-III are shown in the following table.

Parameter Steel Rebar GRP Rebar
Material Steel Fiberglass roving, epoxy resin based polymer.
Tensile Strength, MPa 390 1000-1300
Modulus of Elasticity, MPa 200 000 50 000
Density, t/m3 7 1.9
Corrosion resistance Corroding to aggressive environments Non-corroding material, 1st group of chemical resistance including the alkaline environment of concrete
Electrical Conductivity Electro Conductive Non-transparent dielectric
Thermal Conductivity Transparent Non-transparent dielectric
Environmental Friendliness No Yes
Co-efficient of linear expansion αx*10-5/C 13-15 9-12
Available Profile Diameters, mm 6-80 4-24
Available Lengths 6-12m rods Any manufactured lengths

Rebar made of polymer raw materials is used for various applications according to requirements as follows:

  • Civil and Commercial Constructions
  • Concrete Constructions
  • Coastal Lines
  • As mesh and bars in different construction designs
  • Construct Sewage and Irrigation Engineering
  • Building elements of infrastructure for chemical industry
  • Road or road fences
  • mount wall heat-insulation outside the building
  • Power transmission line supports