Cost-Effectiveness of Fiber Reinforced Polymers

Fiber Reinforced Polymers (FRP) are a cost-effective material choice

Cost-benefit analysis (CBA), cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA), and value engineering (VE) are essential methods used when making project investments/decisions.  Fiber Reinforced Polymers (FRP) are a cost-effective material choice in many circumstances, especially when one considers the many functions, benefits, and services they provide over time.

Function is a key distinction, because CEA or VE place significance in what something does, rather than what it is.  Other materials may be cost-competitive, but FRP are very cost-effective when taking into consideration the net gain of functions they provide.

Composites provide high function- they deliver good dimensional stability or structure, and other properties such as light weight, strength, toughness, damage tolerance, fatigue and fracture resistance, notch sensitivity, and general durability; they are desirable for many applications in a variety of industries.

A Composite Company That Knows How to Deliver

Beyond the obvious advantages of composite materials–many other factors contribute to making the correct cost-effective decision.  Most importantly, we understand your needs and we communicate effectively.  We combine deep composite experience with strong program management that pro-actively monitors your project.  We’ll work with you to ensure your goals are met on time.  At Beetle we will exceed your expectations and deliver a high quality composite solution.

The Superior Material Solution

Fiber Reinforced Polymers (FRP) are a cost-effective material choice in many respects and are often regarded as a superior material, with many advantages.  In general terms, part of what makes composites a cost-effective material solution is that they have a long service life and reduced maintenance costs-unrivaled durability.

In more specific terms, composites also offer design flexibility, durability in stringent environments (i.e. corrosive, abrasive etc.), have dimensional stability, and have a high strength-to weight ratio. When one leverages the multitude of desirable composite functions in a cost-effective analysis, quite often composites become the clear choice.

Our Composites Endure and Perform in Harsh Environments

Beetle composite products provide excellent resistance to corrosion and offer a longer service life compared to similar metal products. Our FRP products are custom designed to withstand the challenges of stringent environments.

KEY FRP COST-EFFECTIVENESS ANALYSIS CONSIDERATIONS

Durability

Structures made of composites have a long life and need little maintenance. Specialized laminate schedules, superior treatments, and coatings will help add life and protection to your custom products.  Durability alone, in some cases, will provide enough of a benefit to make composites the superior choice.

Composites are highly resistant to environmental extremes. FRP products do not rust and can be manufactured to be resistant to abrasion and chemical corrosion. When FRP abrasion and corrosion resistant products are equally compared with more conventional products such as metal, wood, concrete, and non-reinforced plastics, FRP products have a much longer life expectancy.

Design Flexibility

Composites can be molded into complicated shapes more easily than most other materials. This gives designers the freedom to create almost any shape or form.

Light Weight

Composites are light in weight, compared to most woods and metals. Their lightness is important in many industries, but specifically in automobiles and aircraft, for example, where less weight means better fuel efficiency.  Light weight is also important in construction applications anytime machinery and space may be limiting factors.

High Strength

Composites can be designed to be far stronger than aluminum or steel. Metals are equally strong in all directions, but composites can be engineered and designed to be strong in a specific direction.  Composites are anisotropic, that is, they posses mechanical properties only in the direction of the applied load.  In other words, their best mechanical properties are in the direction of the fiber placement.

High Strength to Weight Ratio

Composites have the highest strength-to-weight ratios in materials today. Some materials are very strong and heavy, such as steel. Composite materials can be designed to be both strong and light. Typically, when comparing strength of materials of equivalent thicknesses and sizes, FRP will weigh one seventh as much as steel and half as much as aluminum.  When something is built with metal, and greater strength is needed in one direction, the material usually must be made thicker, which adds weight.

Corrosion and Abrasion Resistance

Composites resist damage from the weather, harsh or abrasive chemicals, and solutions/sludge that can eat away at other materials. Composites are good choices where chemicals are handled or stored.

Dimensional Stability

Composites have exceptional inherent dimensional stability potential due to their unique formulations.  Because composites are customizable, they can be designed to maximize the benefits of structural properties. They are often selected by engineers when applications requiring stringent dimensional stability under a variety of extreme conditions exist.

High-Impact Strength

Composites can be made to absorb impacts—the sudden force of a bullet, for instance, or the blast from an explosion. Because of this property, composites are used in bulletproof vests and panels, and to shield airplanes, buildings, and military vehicles from explosions.

Part Consolidation

A single piece made of composite materials can replace an entire assembly of metal parts. Reducing the number of parts in a machine or a structure saves time and cuts down on the maintenance needed over the life of the item.

Nonconductive

Composites are nonconductive, meaning they do not conduct electricity. This property makes them suitable for such items as electrical utility poles and the circuit boards in electronics. If electrical conductivity is needed, it is possible to make some composites conductive.

Nonmagnetic

Composites typically contain no metals; therefore, they are not magnetic. They can be used around sensitive electronic equipment. The lack of magnetic interference allows large magnets used in MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) equipment to perform better.

Good Insulators

Composites have low thermal conductivity which makes them good insulators—they do not easily conduct heat or cold. They are used in buildings for doors, panels, and windows where extra protection is needed from severe weather.