FIBERGLASS STRUCTURAL SHAPES AND PLATE

GEF IncorporatedInnovative Solutions in Fiberglass

2

Introduction

Whatyouseebelowisnottheerectionofasteelstructure.Rather,itisastructurebeingassembledusingEXTREN®fiberglassstructuralmembers.Today,EXTREN®isreplacingsteel,aluminum,andwoodinawidevarietyofstructuralapplications.Why?BecauseEXTREN®isaproblemsolvingmaterial.ThisbrochureprovidesbasicinformationabouttheEXTREN®productlineandshowsmanyexamplesofhowEXTREN®provideslong-term,costeffectivestructuralsolutionsforendusersinvarietyofmarketsandapplications.

ThefeaturesofEXTREN®fiberglassstructuralshapesarereadilytranslatedintouserbenefits:

• CorrosionResistant• LowinConductivity—ThermallyandElectrically• Nonmagnetic—ElectromagneticTransparency• Lightweight—Weighs80%lessthanSteel• HighStrength• DimensionalStability• LowMaintenance• CustomColors

Strongwell's398,000sq.ft.Bristol,Virginiafacilityistheworld'slargestpultrusionoperation.

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Product Line

EXTREN®isaproprietarycombinationoffiberglassreinforcementsandthermosetpolyesterorvinylesterresinsystems.Itisproducedinmorethan100standardshapes.AllEXTREN®shapeshaveasurfaceveiltoprotectagainstglassfiberspenetratingtheresinsurfaceinserviceandtoincreasecorrosionandUVresistance.

EXTREN®isofferedinthreeseriesdesignedfordifferentenvironmentsandapplications:

EXTREN® 500Anall-purposeseriesutilizinganisophthalicpolyesterresinsystemwithaUVinhibitor.TheresinsystemcanbeformulatedtomeetNSFrequirements.Color:olivegreen

EXTREN® 525Anall-purposeseriesutilizingafireretardantisophthalicpolyesterresinsystemwithaUVinhibitor.Color:slategray(pluscertainhandrailandfixed-laddercomponentsinyellow)

EXTREN® 625Apremiumseries—bothfireretardantandhighlycorrosionresistant—utilizingavinylesterresinsystemwithaUVinhibitor.Color:beige

ThethreeEXTREN®series:(lefttoright)500,625and525.

EXTREN®structuralshapeswereusedinaSXEWcopperrefinerybecauseofthehighlycorrosiveenvironment.

EXTREN®doesnotrotorcorrode,makingittheidealmaterialforcoolingtowerconstruction.

A63'(19.2m)highfreestandingfiberglassstairtoweratFt.StoryArmyBase,VirginiaBeach,Virginia.

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Markets

• Transportation• Electrical/ElectricalUtility• ChemicalProcessing• CellularCommunications• Consumer/Recreation• BuildingConstruction• FoodandBeverage• PulpandPaper• OilandGas

Lightweight,corrosionresistant24"(610mm)I-beamsspan45'(13.7m)tobridgeclarifiersattheLasRusias,TexasWastewaterTreatmentPlant.

EXTREN®structuralshapeswereusedtofabricatepipesupportstohold1,000linealfeet(304.8m)of54"(1371.6mm)diameterpipe.

• Water/Wastewater• AirPollutionControl• AeronauticalDefense• Plating• Agricultural• Appliance/Equipment• CoastalConstruction• Architectural

AnodorcontrolcoverwasconstructedusingEXTREN®structuralshapesforawastewatertreatmentfacilityinPuertoRico.

TheCraigBrookNationalFishHatcheryinEastOrlandMaineusedcorrosive-resistantEXTREN®structuralshapestoframeroofingstructuresovermoisturerichcrowdingpools.

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AsystemofFRPspiralstairsandlandingssupportedbyEXTREN®beamscircletheCordovaParkObservationToweratRedRockLakenearDesMoines,Iowa.

EXTREN®fiberglassplateandstructuralshapeswereusedforcellularshieldingandweremadetomatchthestyleandappearanceoftheSantaAnaHistoricalbuilding.

EXTREN®structuralshapeswereusedtofabricatetwelveplatformsholdingthespotlightsthatilluminatetheForthBridgeinScotland.

EXTREN®wasusedastrimonthisOakwoodCommonsbuildinginMichiganbecausethebeamshavetheaestheticsofsteel,however,EXTREN®doesnotneedtobeannuallyrepaintedbecauseofitscorrosionresistance.

A62'(19.5m)tallweathertoweratVandenbergAirForceBasenearSantaBarbara,California,iscomposedofEXTREN®structuralshapes,laddersandDURADEK®pultrudedgrating.

TheAvilaBeachPierinCaliforniawasreconstructedusingEXTREN®structuralshapesforsupport,DURADEK®pultrudedgrating,stairtreadsandhandrail.

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Designing with EXTREN®

Design By StrongwellStrongwellhasonstaffregisteredprofessionalengineersexperiencedinthedesignoffiberglassstructuresandsystemsforcustomdesignrequirements.Strongwell'sextensiveexperienceinfabricationprocedures,jointdesignandstressanalysisofcompositeassemblies,whencombinedwiththeuseofStrongwellfiberglassproducts,resultsinstructuresofsuperior,cost-effectivedesignandstructuralintegrity.Clear,straightforwarddrawingsofstructuresareprovidedtothecustomerforapprovalbeforefabricationbeginsunlesscustomerdrawingsareprovided.

Design It YourselfTheStrongwellDesign Manual,developedbyStrongwell,isthemostcompletereferenceguideintheindustryfordesigningFRPstructuresandisusedbymoreengineersandarchitectsthananyotherFRPengineeringguide.Withmorethan400pagesofengineeringdata,theDesign Manualincludespropertiesofmaterials,beamandcolumnloadtables,empiricaldesignequationsandsamplecalculations,connectiondetails,andFRPproductandfabricationspecifications.Strongwell'sDesign Manualcanbefoundonlineatwww.strongwell.com.ItisbaseduponyearsofextensiveproducttestingandexperienceinmonitoringapplicationsofEXTREN®fiberglassstructuralshapes,fiberglassgrating,handrailandotherproprietarypultrudedproducts.

EXTREN® Product LogoAproductlogoidentificationprogramhasbeenimplementedbyStrongwellafterdesignersandspecifiersofEXTREN®learnedthatproblemswereoccurringbecausesellersorcontractorsweresubstitutinglook-alikeshapes.

SinceJuly1,1993,allEXTREN®fiberglassstructuralshapesandplatehavebeenimprintedwiththe"EXTREN®MadeintheUSA"logoeverythreefeetdownthelengthofthepart.Squareandroundtubeshavethelogoimprintedinsidetheshape.Smallandunobtrusive,thelogoassurescustomersthattheyaregettingEXTREN®propertiesbackedbycorrosion,mechanicalandstructuraltestingasconductedbyStrongwell.

WARNING!Fiberglassreinforcedthermosetplasticcompositesarenon-homogenousmaterials(i.e.,theirstrengthsandbehavioraredependentuponthedesignofthecompositeandreinforcement).OtherfiberglassstructuralshapeswithasimilarexteriorappearancetoEXTREN®shapesarelikelynotequalinanyotherwaytoEXTREN®,includingglasscontent,glassplacement,glasstype,wetout,resinmixtureorpullspeed.DonotusetheStrongwellDesign Manual todesignastructureunlessyouassurethatonlyEXTREN®structuralsareused.

Strongwell'sDesignManualisfoundonlineatwww.strongwell.comforeasy24-houraccesstothemostup-to-datedesigninformation.GototheDesignManuallog-inpageandclickthe“NewUsers!”linkinyellow.Registeryouremailaddressandinformation;you’llreceiveaccessimmediatelyviaemail.

For pricing call: GEF Incorporated, Winfield WV (304) 755-1600

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Fabricating with EXTREN®

Inadditiontobeingtheworld'slargestproducerofpultrudedparts,Strongwellisalsothelargestfabricatorofstructuresutilizingpultrudedcomponents.

Typicalfabricationsincludebeam,columnandplatestructures,all-fiberglassbuildings,platformsandothercustomfabricationsinvolvinggratingandhandrail.ThefeaturesofEXTREN®,suchascorrosionresistanceandRFtransparency,resultinveryspecializedfabricatedstructuresformarketslikewastewatertreatment,cellularandevenarchitecturalapplications.Handlay-upcapabilitiescomplementthecorporation'sstructuralfabricationcapability.

JoiningEXTREN®canbefastenedmechanicallywithscrews,boltsorrivets.FIBREBOLT®fiberglassstudsandhexnuts(availablefromStrongwell)canalsobeused.EXTREN®canbejoinedbyadhesivesaswell.Thestrongestconnectionscanbemadebyusingacombinationofmechanicalfastenerswithadhesives.SuggestedfabricationtechniquesforEXTREN®arecoveredinStrongwell'sEXTREN®Fabrication and Repair Manual.

Material PreparationEXTREN®shapesandplatecanbesawed,drilled,routedandturnedonalatheorothermachinetool.Punchingshouldbelimitedtothicknessesof3/16"(4.8mm)andunder.Carbideordiamond-tippedsawbladesandtoolbitsarerecommendedforfasterspeedsandlonger-toollife.

EXTREN®sectionscanbejoinedmechanicallyorwithadhesives.

Beamsarepreppedbeforebondingconnectionstogether.

Strongwellhastrainedpersonnelattwofabricationfacilitiestotakeyourdrawingsand/ordesigntowhateverprefabricationstageyouchoose.

BoltsandadhesivesareusedforefficientconnectionsinEXTREN®structures.

EXTREN®maybepaintedforbetterprotectionagainstlong-termexposuretothesun.

Prefabricationofsupportbeamscanincludebondingpredrilledanglesandplateforconnections.

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Process

EXTREN®ismanufacturedbythepultrusionprocess.Initssimplestterms,pultrusionistheprocessofpullingfiberglass(orother)reinforcementsthrougha“bath”ofthermosettingresinandintoaheatedforming-and-curingdietoproducecompositestructuralshapes.Reinforcementplacement,resinformulation,catalystlevels,dietemperatureandpullspeedarecriticalprocessparameters.Strongwellisoneofthepioneersofthepultrusionprocesswithmorethan60pultrusionmachinesinthreeplantlocationsacrosstheUnitedStates.

InadditiontoEXTREN®,Strongwellusesthepultrusionprocesstoproducemanyotherproducts.Forexample,theEXTRENDWB®isacombinationofcarbonandglassfibers.The36"x18"(914x457mm)doublewebbeamsweigh70lbs.perlinearfoot(104kg/meter).Theprocessisusedtoproducecomplexprofilesandpultrudeovercores.Pultrusionisalsoutilizedforpartsintegrationandtoproduceeasytoassemblesystems.

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Quality and Availability

StrongwellmanufacturingfacilitiesareISO-9001:2000certified.ThisensurestheutmostqualitystandardsforproducingEXTREN®structuralshapesinaworldclassfacility.A“firstarticle”seriesoftestsoneachEXTREN®productionrunisdesignedtoassuretheenduserthatthestructuralmembersmeetorexceedpublishedminimumcriteria.WhiledistributorsstockthemostpopularshapesofEXTREN®forimmediatedeliverytotheircustomers,Strongwellalsomaintainsalargeinventorytoservicedistributorsandpreventlongleadtimestoendusers.

Left:Strongwellcanperformincomingresinteststoverifythesuppliers'conformancetospecifiedrequirements.

Right:Strongwell'sSATECComputerControlledAutomaticTestingSystemisamechanicaltestingworkhorse.

Bottom:Strongwell'slaboratoryandresearchfacilityislarge,well-equippedandprofessionallystaffed.

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Properties

MECHANICALTensileStress,LW D638 psi 30,000 30,000 20,000 20,000 20,000 20,000 20,000 20,000 N/mm2 207 207 138 138 138 138 138 138

TensileStress,CW D638 psi 7,000 7,000 7,500 10,000 10,000 7,500 10,000 10,000 N/mm2 48.3 48.3 51.7 68.9 68.9 51.7 68.9 68.9

TensileModulus,LW D638 106psi 2.5 2.6 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8 103N/mm2 17.2 17.9 12.4 12.4 12.4 12.4 12.4 12.4

TensileModulus,CW D638 106psi 0.8 0.8 0.7 0.9 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 103N/mm2 5.52 5.52 4.83 6.21 9.65 6.89 6.89 9.65

CompressiveStress,LW D695 psi 30,000 30,000 24,000 24,000 24,000 24,000 24,000 24,000 N/mm2 207 207 165 165 165 165 165 165

CompressiveStress,CW D695 psi 15,000 16,000 15,500 16,500 20,000 16,500 17,500 17,500 N/mm2 103 110 107 114 138 114 121 121

CompressiveModulus,LW D695 106psi 2.5 2.6 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8 103N/mm2 17.2 17.9 12.4 12.4 12.4 12.4 12.4 12.4

CompressiveModulus,CW D695 106psi 0.8 0.8 0.7 0.9 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 103N/mm2 5.52 5.52 4.83 6.21 9.65 6.89 6.89 9.65

FlexuralStress,LW D790 psi 30,000 30,000 24,000 24,000 24,000 24,000 24,000 24,000 N/mm2 207 207 165 165 165 165 165 165

FlexuralStress,CW D790 psi 10,000 10,000 10,000 13,000 17,000 10,000 13,000 17,000 N/mm2 68.9 68.9 68.9 89.6 117 68.9 89.6 117

FlexuralModulus,LW D790 106psi 1.6 1.6 1.1 1.1 1.4 1.1 1.1 1.4 103N/mm2 11.0 11.0 7.58 7.58 6.65 7.58 7.58 6.65

FlexuralModulus,CW D790 106psi 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8 1.3 0.8 0.8 1.3 103N/mm2 5.52 5.52 5.52 5.52 8.95 5.52 5.52 8.95

ModulusofElasticity fullsection 106psi 2.6 2.8 103N/mm2 17.9 19.3

ModulusofElasticity: W&Ishapes>4" fullsection 106psi 2.5 2.5 W&Ishapes>102mm 103N/mm2 17.2 17.2

ShearModulus,LW — 106psi 0.425 0.425 103N/mm2 2.93 2.93

ShortBeamShear,LW D2344 psi 4,500 4,500 N/mm2 31.0 31.0

BearingStress,LW D953 psi 30,000 30,000 32,000 32,000 32,000 32,000 32,000 32,000 N/mm2 207 207 220.6 221 221 221 221 221

Poisson'sRatio,LW D3039 in/in 0.33 0.33 0.31 0.31 0.31 0.32 0.32 0.32 mm/mm .330 .330 .310 .310 .310 .320 .320 .320

NotchedIzodImpact,LW D256 ft-lbs/in 25 25 15 10 10 15 10 10 J/mm 1.33 1.33 .801 .533 .533 .801 .533 .533

NotchedIzodImpact,CW D256 ft-lbs/in 4 4 5 5 5 5 5 5 J/mm .214 .214 .267 .267 .267 .267 .267 .267

PHYSICALBarcolHardness D2583 — 45 45 40 40 40 40 40 40

24hrWaterAbsorption D570 %Max 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6

Density D792 lbs/in3 .062-.070 .062-.070 .060-.068 .060-.068 .060-.068 .060-.068 .060-.068 .060-.068 10-3g/mm3 1.72-1.94 1.72-1.94 1.66-1.88 1.66-1.88 1.66-1.88 1.66-1.88 1.66-1.88 1.66-1.88

CoefficientofThermalExpansion,LW D696 10-6in/in/oF 4.4 4.4 4.4 4.4 4.4 4.4 4.4 4.4 10-6mm/mm/oC 8.0 8.0 8.0 8.0 8.0 8.0 8.0 8.0

ThermalConductivity C177 BTU-in/ft2Hr/oF 4 4 w(m*oK) .58 .58

ThisvalueisdeterminedfromfullsectionsimplebeambendingofEXTREN®structuralshapes.TheShearModulusvaluehasbeendeterminedfromtestswithfullsectionsofEXTREN®structuralshapes.(SeeStrongwell's

StrongwellDesign Manualforfurtherinformation.)Valuewouldbe50ifthesurfacingveilwerenotthere.Platecompressivestress/modulusmeasurededgewiseandflexuralstress/modulusmeasuredflatwise.ValuesapplytoSeries525and625.Measuredasapercentagemaximumbyweight.Spantodepthratioof3:1;EXTREN®angleswillhaveaminimumvalueof4000psiandtheI/Wshapesaretestedintheweb.Typicalvaluesbecausetheseareshapeandcompositedependenttests.

LW — Lengthwise PF — PerpendiculartolaminatefaceCW — Crosswise N.T. — NotTested

ASTM SERIES SERIES 500/525 PLATE SERIES 625 PLATE TEST UNITS/ 500/525 SERIES 625 1/8" 3/16" - 3/8" 1/2" - 1" 1/8" 3/16" - 1/4" 3/8" - 1" METHOD VALUE SHAPES SHAPES 3.175mm 4.76-9.5mm 9.5-25.4mm 3.175mm 4.76-6.35mm 9.5-25.4mm

All values are minimum ultimate properties from coupon tests except as noted.

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ELECTRICALArcResistance,LW D495 seconds 120 120

DielectricStrength,LW D149 KV/in 35 35 35 35 35 35 35 35 KV/mm 1.38 1.38 1.38 1.38 1.38 1.38 1.38 1.38

DielectricStrength,PF D149 volts/mil 200 200 200 N.T N.T 250 N.T N.T

FLAMMABILITY FlammabilityClassification(1/8") UL94 VO

TunnelTest E-84 25Max

NBSSmokeChamber E-662 650-700 (Typical)

Flammability D635 SelfExtinguishing

ULThermalIndex Generic 130oC

BritishFireTest BS476-7 Class1

Options Strongwelloffersabroadrangeoffiberglassindustrialproducts.TwootherproductsoftenusedwithEXTREN®areSAFPLATE®andFIBREBOLT®.Abriefdescriptionofeachisgivenhere.Full-colorliteratureisavailableforeachproductuponrequest.

SAFPLATE®

SAFPLATE®fiberglassgrittedplateisatough,corrosionresistantfloorplate.Theuniquecombinationofpultrudedfiberglassplateandananti-skidgritsurfacemakesSAFPLATE®atexturedsolidsheetflooringthatisidealforbothwetanddryapplications.Usedinavarietyofapplicationssuchastrenchcoverstocontainvaporsandfumesorpedestrianbridgewalkwaysforsurefooting,SAFPLATE®

providesalong-lasting,maintenance-freealternativetosteelplateforsevereandcorrosiveenvironments.

SAFPLATE®isavailableassolidplateorbondedtoDURADEK®orDURAGRID®grating.Thegritsurfacescanbefine,mediumorcoarse.Itisavailablein4'x8'(1.2x2.4m)panelsinallstandardEXTREN®platethicknesses:1/8"(3.2mm),3/16"(4.8mm),1/4"(6.4mm),3/8"(9.5mm),1/2"(12.7mm)and3/4"(19.1mm).ThestandardSAFPLATE®isfiberglassreinforcedpolyesterwithfireretardantinagraycolor.Otherresinsystemsandcustomcolorsareavailableuponrequest.

FIBREBOLT®

FIBREBOLT®fiberglassstudsandnutsareidealforapplicationsrequiringmechanicalfastenersthatmustbenoncorrosive,lowinconductivityand/ortransparenttoelectromagneticwaves.FIBREBOLT®studsaremachinedfrompultrudedfiberglassvinylesterrods.Thehexshapednutisthermoplastic.Theyareeasilyassembledwithastandardsixpointsocketwrench.

FIBREBOLT®studsandhexnutsareavailableindiametersof3/8"(9.5mm),1/2"(12.7mm),5/8"(15.9mm),3/4"(19.1mm)and1"(25.4mm)forimmediatedelivery.Fourfootboltlengthsarestandard,withcustomlengthsandpartiallengththreadingavailableonrequest.Brownisthestandardcolor.ThestudsandnutshaveUVinhibitorstoprovideresistancetoultravioletdegradationandcorrosion.

SAFPLATE®,asolidanti-skidflooring,helpsreduceworkerslipsandfallsinbothwetanddryapplications.

FIBREBOLT®iswidelyusedasareplacementformetallicfastenersinstructuresthatmustbelowinconductivityand/ortransparenttoelectromagneticwaves.

ASTM SERIES SERIES 500/525 PLATE SERIES 625 PLATE TEST UNITS/ 500/525 SERIES 625 1/8" 3/16" - 1/4" 3/8" - 1" 1/8" 3/16" - 1/4" 3/8" - 1"PROPERTIES METHOD VALUE SHAPES SHAPES 3.175mm 4.76-6.35mm 9.5-25.4mm 3.175mm 4.76-6.35mm 9.5-25.4mm

MIN5M1209© 2009 Strongwell

1721 WINFIELD ROAD • WINFIELD, WEST VIRGINIA 25213304/755-1600 • 304/755-3150 FAX • 800/784-0529 TOLL FREE

www.gefinc.com

Innovative Solutions in Fiberglass