FRP's Role in Pipe Supports and Corrosion Protection - RedLineIPS

Jun. 09, 2025

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FRP's Role in Pipe Supports and Corrosion Protection - RedLineIPS

In the world of industrial materials, Fiber-Reinforced Plastic (FRP) stands out as a true marvel. Often referred to as fiber-reinforced polymer, FRP is a composite material created from a polymer matrix reinforced with fibers like glass, carbon, or aramid. Its unique properties make it indispensable across a variety of industries, particularly where strength, durability, and resistance to harsh environments are paramount.

What Makes FRP So Special?

FRP is not just another construction material. Its high strength-to-weight ratio, excellent corrosion resistance, and remarkable durability make it a favorite in industries such as chemical processing, petroleum, and water treatment. But what exactly gives FRP its edge? Firstly, FRP’s resistance to corrosion is legendary. Unlike traditional materials such as steel or concrete, FRP can withstand exposure to a wide range of chemicals and harsh substances without degrading. This makes it an ideal choice for environments like petrochemical plants, marine applications, and offshore platforms, where materials are constantly exposed to corrosive agents. Moreover, FRP is incredibly lightweight. This property significantly reduces transportation and installation costs, making it a practical choice for large-scale industrial projects. Despite its light weight, FRP boasts a high strength-to-weight ratio, often outperforming steel in terms of strength at an equivalent weight. This makes it perfect for applications requiring robust structural support without the burden of extra weight.

FRP in Pipe Supports

One of the critical applications of FRP is in the support of industrial piping systems. Pipe supports are essential in maintaining the integrity and functionality of pipelines, especially in high-stress environments. FRP’s properties make it an excellent material for this purpose, offering several distinct advantages:

Corrosion Protection: One of the significant challenges in maintaining industrial piping systems is Corrosion Under Pipe Supports (CUPS). FRP pipe supports are immune to the corrosive effects of chemicals, saltwater, and other harsh environments. This resistance helps prevent CUPS, ensuring the longevity and safety of the piping systems.
Vibration Dampening: Industrial environments often involve high levels of vibration from machinery like compressors and pumps. FRP pipe supports can be customized with vibration-dampening materials that absorb these vibrations, protecting the pipes from potential damage. An example of this are hold-down clamps or pipe supports lined with FRP liners or other types of isolation liners.
Allowing Axial Movement: Thermal expansion and contraction are common in pipelines. FRP supports can be designed with slotted holes and PTFE to facilitate controlled axial movement, accommodating these thermal changes without compromising the system's stability.
Customization and Flexibility: Every industrial setup has unique requirements. FRP supports can be tailored to meet specific load capacities, shapes, and sizes, ensuring a perfect fit and optimal performance in any installation.

The Versatility of FRP Beyond Pipe Supports

Beyond pipe supports, FRP is utilized in a multitude of applications. It’s a preferred material for constructing tanks, vessels, and other structures that must endure corrosive environments. In the marine industry, FRP’s UV resistance and non-conductive nature make it ideal for offshore platforms and other applications exposed to the elements.

Furthermore, FRP’s design flexibility allows it to be molded into various shapes and sizes, making it suitable for architectural applications where both aesthetics and durability are crucial. The ability to manufacture FRP in different colors and finishes adds to its versatility, enabling its use in visible and decorative elements.

With competitive price and timely delivery, Runlin sincerely hope to be your supplier and partner.

FRP in Preventing CUPS

Corrosion Under Pipe Supports (CUPS) is a prevalent issue in industrial piping systems, particularly in the petrochemical and oil & gas industries. This type of corrosion occurs at the points where pipes are supported, often going unnoticed until significant damage has occurred. FRP offers an effective solution to this problem due to its inherent resistance to corrosion.

FRP supports are designed to create a barrier between the pipe and its support, preventing the accumulation of moisture and corrosive agents. This barrier significantly reduces the risk of corrosion, extending the life of the piping system and reducing maintenance costs. Additionally, FRP’s ability to incorporate liners such as PTFE enhances this protective effect by further minimizing friction and wear at the support points.

Maintenance of FRP Structures

One of the standout features of FRP is its low maintenance requirement. Unlike steel or concrete, which may require regular upkeep to prevent rust and wear, FRP remains largely unaffected by the elements. However, regular inspections are still essential to ensure long-term performance. These inspections should focus on checking for any signs of wear or damage, especially in high-stress areas. Cleaning FRP structures to remove debris and any chemical build-up is also advisable, ensuring that the material continues to perform optimally. In the rare event of damage, following manufacturer guidelines for repairs is crucial to maintaining the integrity and performance of the FRP components.

Regular maintenance involves:

Inspection: Regularly inspecting FRP structures for signs of wear, damage, or chemical attack. Identifying issues early can prevent more significant problems later.
Cleaning: Keeping FRP components clean to prevent the accumulation of harmful substances that might degrade their performance.
Repair: Following manufacturer guidelines for any necessary repairs to maintain the structural integrity and performance of the FRP components.

Environmental Benefits of Using FRP

In addition to its practical benefits, FRP offers several environmental advantages:

Longevity and Durability: FRP’s long lifespan reduces the frequency of replacements, leading to less material waste over time.
Corrosion Resistance: By preventing corrosion, FRP helps avoid environmental contamination that can result from leaking pipelines.
Energy Efficiency: The lightweight nature of FRP reduces transportation and installation energy costs compared to heavier materials like steel.

Fiber-Reinforced Plastic (FRP) is a game-changer in the field of industrial materials. Its exceptional properties make it an ideal choice for a wide range of applications, from pipe supports to large-scale structural elements. In preventing corrosion and handling the stresses of harsh environments, FRP not only extends the life of industrial systems but also reduces maintenance costs and enhances safety. For industries looking to optimize performance and durability, FRP offers a versatile and reliable solution. By incorporating FRP into your industrial applications, you embrace a future of enhanced longevity, reduced costs, and superior performance. Whether for pipe supports or other structural components, the benefits of FRP are clear, making it the material of choice for today’s demanding industrial environments. Investing in FRP is not just about improving current operations; it’s about future-proofing your infrastructure against the inevitable challenges posed by corrosive environments and mechanical stress. Embrace the advantages of FRP and ensure that your systems remain robust, reliable, and efficient for decades to come.

For more information on FRP and its uses as pipe supports, us.

Industrial CPVC Piping Systems: When to use Schedule 80 ...

When highly corrosive chemicals are used in industrial processing applications, chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC) is often specified. Depending on the unique system conditions and applications, different CPVC piping variations—such as schedule 80 piping, schedule 40 piping, or even CPVC-lined FRP—may be recommended.

Use this guide to learn about the general differences between the three options to help determine the CPVC type that is ideal for your application.

Piping Schedule

Nominal Pipe Size (NPS) is a North American set of standards for piping used in high pressure and temperature applications. NPS identifies pipe using two criteria:

Outside Diameter: A dimensional number referring to the width of a pipe opening from the outer edge to the other outer edge 180° across.
Pipe Schedule: A non-dimensional number reflecting the thickness of the pipe wall.

The thickness of a CPVC pipe wall is defined by the ASTM F441 Standard Specification for Chlorinated Poly(Vinyl Chloride) (CPVC) Plastic Pipe, Schedules 40 and 80, and is dependent on the outside diameter of a pipe.

In other words, the “schedule” distinction is nominal only, and not an actual dimensional measurement. The wall thickness increases as a pipe’s outside diameter increases. Two tables below show the specific wall thickness values of schedule 40 and schedule 80 piping based on the pipe’s outside diameter.

Corzan® CPVC pipe and fittings are available in schedule 40 and schedule 80 nominal pipe sizes (NPS).

Pressure Bearing Capabilities

The schedule distinction was put in place in part to help engineers and architects understand a pipe’s pressure bearing capabilities. Schedule 80 piping’s increased wall thickness enables a higher pressure rating than schedule 40 piping.

Learn about how CPVC pipe pressure ratings are calculated in our resource article, "How CPVC Pipe Pressure Ratings Are Calculated."

For more information, please visit frp piping systems.

Applications

Corzan Industrial Systems often recommends Schedule 80 piping be specified for pressurized systems that are exposed to high temperatures. The additional wall thickness also increases the impact resistance of the pipe, and enables the piping to maintain pressure bearing capabilities longer in systems where highly aggressive, corrosive substances are used.

The thinner wall of schedule 40 CPVC, when compared to schedule 80, results in a lower pressure rating at all temperatures. Thus, when the pressure rating requirements of a system are low, but corrosion resistance is critical, schedule 40 CPVC piping may be specified. This includes certain venting or plumbing applications.

For fume handling systems and other non-pressure situations, CPVC ducting is the geometry of choice. The wall thickness of CPVC ducting is even less than that of schedule 40 piping, but the chemical resistance is maintained.

Pipe Measurements and Pressure Rating Tables

When comparing measurements of schedule 80 and schedule 40 CPVC piping, only the outer diameter of the pipe remains consistent.

For example, both 1 in. pipes have an outer diameter of 1.315 in. But, the minimum wall thickness, average inner diameter, pipe weight and maximum water pressure vary.

The following tables can guide engineers on the proper pipe size and schedule based on pressure and other factors.

When to Use CPVC-Lined Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic (FRP)

Another variation of CPVC piping often used for industrial applications is CPVC-lined fiberglass reinforced plastics (FRP). FRP piping does not use the NPS set of standards, as these pipes are custom built for more specialized conditions that have a specific set of requirements.

CPVC-Lined FRP Advantages

In an application where CPVC material offers necessary corrosion resistance, but standard schedule 80 piping does not meet the system’s pressure or temperature requirements, CPVC-lined FRP piping may be specified.

The CPVC liner offers a corrosion resistant layer against the processing chemicals, while the FRP provides the structural integrity needed to meet the pressure rating and temperature requirements of the system.

View the Corzan Chemical Resistance Table for CPVC's compatibility with 400+ chemicals.

The Cost of CPVC-Lined FRP

The performance of CPVC-lined FRP in high pressure and high temperature environments is why it’s specified over Corzan Schedule 80 and Schedule 40 CPVC piping. The reason FRP is not universally recommended in CPVC-compatible applications is its respective cost.

CPVC-lined FRP piping systems are custom made for each installation, not manufactured in bulk. While this helps to instill reliability that the system is compatible with the process, installation and fabrication is more labor-intensive—both in number of installers and time required. Each piece must be wrapped, and sometimes even hand-laid in the field.

Though the additional expense can be a drawback, FRP piping can provide significant, long-term cost-savings advantages. For example, CPVC-lined FRP has replaced titanium systems in corrosive, high pressure, high temperature environments. When compared to these exotic metals, CPVC-lined FRP translated to material savings without hindering performance or reliability.

If you want to learn more, please visit our website Frp Pipe Fittings.

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