Application Guide
FRP Grating for Chemical & Petrochemical Plants
A galvanized steel walkway in a pickling line or on a tank farm dyke is a maintenance contract. FRP grating in the right resin is not — the corrosion barrier is the full panel thickness.
Where it goes in a chemical plant
- Acid and caustic handling areas, pickling and plating lines
- Tank farm dyke walkways and valve access platforms
- Pump and mixer plinths with wash-down exposure
- Laboratory and drum-store steps and landings
- Solvent storage areas — no spark risk from tools on the deck
- Sample and instrument access around effluent treatment
Specifying the right resin
| Exposure | Recommended system | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Dilute acids and alkalis, general splash | Isophthalic polyester | Cost-effective, proven in wash-down areas |
| Strong acid (H₂SO₄, HCl), solvents, elevated temperature | Vinyl ester | Approx. 95% flexural retention after 12 months in 10% H₂SO₄ |
| Solvent storage, flammable areas | Vinyl ester + conductive-free handling procedure | FRP generates no spark from dropped tools |
| Plant Rail / offshore tie-ins requiring low smoke | Phenolic | ASTM E84 Class 1, lowest smoke index |
Confirm against the chemical resistance chart and send us your media list — we confirm resin in writing with the quote.
Case pattern (typical project shape)
A mid-size pickling line retrofit typically replaces 200–400 m² of corroded steel walkway. Steel: replacement or recoat every 3–5 years, plus blast-and-paint shutdowns. FRP vinyl ester: installed once, no recoating, 20+ year design life — the upgrade pays back within the first avoided repaint cycle. See the 20-year arithmetic →