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I-Beams

FRP I-beams (I-shaped pultruded beams) deliver high strength in a lightweight, corrosion-resistant form. Constructed from fiberglass reinforcements and resin, they retain excellent weather and chemical durability. These standard I-shaped profiles support long spans, columns, bridge girders and elevated platforms, offering a direct alternative to steel. Their pultruded construction meets ASTM and EN standards for mechanical properties and provides electrical insulation (non-conductive, non-magnetic) for safety. For example, Liberty Pultrusions notes pultruded FRP can be “up to 75% lighter than steel but just as strong”. This means easier handling and installation on site with comparable load capacity. Unique selling points include extreme corrosion/UV resistance, very low maintenance, long service life in harsh environments, and custom lengths or flange sizes to suit any design.

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Key Features

  • High strength-to-weight ratio (comparable strength to steel)
  • Excellent corrosion resistance (immaterial to rust or acids)
  • Light weight (pultruded composite is ~75% lighter than steel)
  • Non-conductive & non-magnetic (electrical insulation)
  • Flame- and UV-resistant (long-term outdoor durability)

Benefits

  • Long service life with minimal maintenance (no painting or replacement)
  • Instant corrosion immunity in chemically aggressive or coastal environments
  • Thermal and electrical insulation (suitable near electrified areas)
  • Savings on handling/shipping due to lightness; easy to install on-site
  • No corrosion fatigue – maintains mechanical properties over decades

Applications

  • Structural beams and columns in industrial buildings, platforms, walkways, bridges
  • Support beams for elevated platforms, stairs and catwalks (including refrigerated truck floors)
  • Bridge and girder components (especially in marine or de-icing environments)
  • Chemical plants, coastal docks, wastewater treatment where steel beams would corrode
  • Reinforcements in cooling towers, utility racks, pipeline supports

Technical Specifications

  • Sizes/sections pultruded by meter (e.g. 50x102x6.4 mm etc. [kg/m listed])
  • Meets EN 13706, ASTM D4385 or equivalent standards (CTI 137 for glass fibers)
  • Density ~1.8 g/cm³ (typical of FRP profiles) with tensile moduli often 15–20 GPa
  • Available in polyester, vinylester or isophthalic resins, with optional fire-retardant additives

Unique Selling Points (USPs)

  • Non-corrosive & non-rotating (ideal for lifetime service in marine and chemical environments)
  • Extremely lightweight relative to strength (reduces foundation load and transport cost)
  • Low thermal conductivity (better insulation than steel)
  • Broad customization: any flange width/height and web thickness can be pultruded on demand
  • Long warranties & proven performance (used for 40+ years in critical infrastructure)