| So, you have decided it’s time to add a little style to your vehicle and you are looking at car body kits. It won’t take long before you are confronted with numerous, and sometimes conflicting, claims about superior products, sometimes due to the materials used in construction.
You may hear or read about fiberglass, resins, carbon fiber, plastics, etc. It’s enough to become discouraged and just buy the next thing you see. Not so fast. You haven’t worked all those long hard hours just to throw your money away now. Relax, it’s not as confusing as it seems.
One thing you may have heard about is FRP Composite. And, if you are like most people, your next question was “What the heck is FRP?” Since we assume you are not asking because you are studying for a PhD in Material Science or Polymer Chemistry, we will skip the “engineer-speak” and give you what you need to know in order to make a wise investment in your car. And then go and have some fun.
“FRP” stands for “Fiber Reinforced Polymer”. You probably know what rebar is – it’s that metal rod used in concrete to make it stronger and more long lasting. FRP Composite works in a similar fashion, using high tech plastics and other materials. Polymer is plastic, and fibers are materials added to reinforce it. A composite is a mixture of materials. So FRP Composite is a mix of materials that include special polymers reinforced with fibers designed to carry loads much stronger than a regular plastic or ordinary fiberglass. Other materials include resins, fillers and additives.
Each material has its own purpose and contribution to the strength and durability of the product being manufactured. When combined in the proper manner, the result is the best in strength, light weight and cost effectiveness.
FRP Composite itself has many benefits over other common materials:
- It has a high strength to weight ratio
- It does not contract or expand due to temperature changes
- It does not rust or absorb water
- It is non-flammable
- It does not conduct electricity
- It is mostly chemical resistant, with some exceptions
FRP Composites use Vinylester resins, which are stronger than ordinary polyester resins. Vinylester is a particular form of polyester resin that, combined with special epoxy, allows better moisture resistance while providing a stronger molecular bond.
A Gel Coat produces high impact strength and a smooth surface ready for final installation and finishing. The manufacturer of high quality car body kits will use FRP Composites to produce pieces that are hand crafted, uniform in density and thickness and the best value on the market.
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