What is Pultrusion? Pultrusion converts reinforced fibers and liquid resin into a fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) via a pulling method. The fibers are saturated by being pulled through a resin bath, then shaped, pulled through a heated steel die, and shaped again.
Once hardened, it is cut and urethane pull blocks are used to prevent the finished product from being cracked or deformed.
Over the next decade, the demand for pultruded products is projected to grow to be one of most promising segments of the composites industry.
Pultrusion is now the preferred form of manufacture of composite parts for thousands of products in key application markets such as infrastructure, telecommunication, oil & gas, as well as utilities.
Pultruded products can be applied across a variety of industry verticals as they offer a wide variety of advantages when compared to traditional products like steel, aluminium and wood.
The stability and thermal performance of pultruded applications make a great alternative to wood, PVC, steel and aluminium.
For example, FRPs are used by designers, builders and homeowners for a variety of products such as energy-efficient windows, thermal breaks, for oil and gas tubes, and sports equipment.
Pultruded products last longer when compared to the corrosion levels of metals used for bridges as they are resistant to weather-induced decay.
Additionally, they can also be used in sucker rods in the oil industry, as they are lightweight and lower installation and energy costs. They can also used in spar cap structures for wind turbine blades, due to its lightweight and weather-resistance nature.
Combined with low maintenance, high tolerance, durability and strength, pultruded products can help businesses minimize expenses and callbacks.