GFRP processing combines glass fibres with thermoset or thermoplastic resins using lay‑up, infusion, RTM (Resin Transfer Molding), or pultrusion (pull-through composit process). With steel or composite tooling, it produces lightweight, corrosion‑resistant parts for automotive, marine, wind energy, and industrial applications.
Glass fibre reinforced plastic (GFRP) processing involves combining thermoset or thermoplastic resin systems with glass fibres to produce lightweight, high‑strength composite components. Common processes include hand lay‑up, spray‑up, vacuum infusion, resin transfer molding (RTM), pultrusion, and compression molding. Glass fibres—typically E‑glass or S‑glass—are supplied as mats, woven fabrics, rovings, or preforms and are impregnated with polyester, vinyl ester, epoxy, or thermoplastic resins. Tooling requirements depend on the chosen process: open molds made from gel‑coated composite structures are used for manual lay‑up, while closed molds in aluminum or alloyed tool steel enable dimensional accuracy in RTM and compression molding. Heating systems, vacuum equipment, and release agents ensure proper curing and surface quality. GFRP parts offer high stiffness‑to‑weight ratios, corrosion resistance, and design flexibility, making them widely used in automotive exterior panels, wind‑turbine blades, electrical housings, infrastructure reinforcements, sports equipment, and marine structures.