Glass-reinforced plastic

Fiberglass

Glass-reinforced plastic (GRP), is a composite material or fibre reinforced plastic made of a plastic reinforced by fine fibers made of glass. The plastic is most often polyester or vinylester , but other plastics, like epoxy (GRE), are also sometimes used. The glass is mostly in the form of chopped strand mat (CSM), but woven fabrics are also used.

GRP/GRE is a versatile material with many uses. Its first main application was for building of boats, where it gained acceptance in the 1950s, and now plays a dominant role. But its use has broadened over the years, and it is used extensively within the automotive and sport equipment sectors, although its use there is being taken over by carbon fiber because of its lower weight. GRE is also used to make pipes for drinking water, sewers, chemicals, and so on. The term "fiberglass" is often used, rather imprecisely, for GRP.