What is GFR (Glass Fiber Reinforced)

Glass Fiber is like fiberglass, specifically it is made the same way. When you expose spinning glass to extreme heat, the glass fibers melt. As the Glass fibers cool, they form fiberglass.

Other fibers or elements can be added to this process to create a unique material. The fibers or elements can vary from plastic or polymer, gypsum and even concrete. By combining these other elements, you reinforce the glass fibers and achieve a final product that that is stronger and more durable than fiberglass. The other benefit is that it retains the attributes of the element which was added.

For example, when you add plastic or polymer to the spinning glass you get Glass Fiber Reinforced Plastic (GFRP). When you add gypsum to the spinning glass you get Glass Fiber Reinforced Gypsum (GFRG). When you add concrete to the spinning glass you get Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete (GFRC)

Glass Fiber Reinforced products are used more and more in construction and manufacturing because it’s generally quite strong and lightweight. In many cases, it can be 7 times stronger than steel and even twice as strong as aluminum, which is already famous for being strong for its weight. Glass Fiber Reinforced products are even stronger.

Since manufacturers all have different formulas or recipes to create their composites. Not all GFR’s are created equally, and they will all have special characteristics that are unique to the manufacturer.

GFR’s have exceptional strength and resistance to vibration and impact. They can also be extremely resistant to heat and chemicals; it all depends on the particular formula used.

But technically, fiberglass and FRPs aren’t the same. The FRP doesn’t have to use fiberglass at all, since it can use carbon or cellulose fibers instead.