Molded FRP Grating
Molded fiberglass grating with 38 × 38 mm square mesh, manufactured in one piece by interweaving continuous glass rovings in a thermosetting resin. It carries approximately 485 kg/m² at a 1 m span (L/180 deflection), weighs about a quarter of steel grating, and needs no repainting for the life of the walkway.
- 25 / 30 / 38 / 50 mm depths — one panel family for pedestrian to heavy-vehicle duty
- Equal bidirectional strength; panels can be cut anywhere without edge loss or de-lamination
- Four resin systems: orthophthalic, isophthalic polyester, vinyl ester and phenolic
- ASTM E84 Class 1 flame spread available (vinyl ester and phenolic systems)
- Cut-to-size, notched and pre-drilled to your layout before shipment
Key Features
Corrosion barrier through the full thickness
The resin-rich surface and interwoven glass structure are the corrosion barrier — there is no coating to scratch, chip or wear through. Unaffected by continuous splash exposure to dilute acids, alkalis, salts and H₂S-bearing atmospheres.
One quarter the weight of steel
At 19.1 kg/m², a full 1220 × 3660 mm panel of 38 mm grating weighs about 85 kg — two workers, no crane, no lifting plan. Structural framing can often be lighter too.
Cuts anywhere, edge stays intact
Interwoven strands pass over and under each other through the full depth, so cut edges cannot unravel. Holes for pipes, pumps and handrail posts are cut on site or at the factory with no strength loss around the opening.
Non-conductive and non-magnetic
Safe to walk and work on over live cable trenches and near switchgear. Non-magnetic panels are specified around MRI suites and sensitive measurement areas.
Integral anti-slip surface
Concave meniscus or bonded grit top surface maintains wet slip resistance for the life of the panel — not a sprayed coating that polishes off in a year.
Pigment through the panel
Standard colors: gray, green, yellow, orange, black — any RAL on volume orders. Color identifies walkways, escape routes and hazard zones without paint.
Specifications
| Type | Depth | Mesh | Weight (kg/m²) | Bar center | Open area | Typical duty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GCM-25 | 25 mm (1 in) | 38 × 38 mm | 12.2 | 76 mm | 68% | Light pedestrian, trench covers |
| GCM-30 | 30 mm (1-3/16 in) | 38 × 38 mm | 14.7 | 76 mm | 68% | Pedestrian walkways |
| GCM-38 | 38 mm (1-1/2 in) | 38 × 38 mm | 19.1 | 76 mm | 68% | Industrial walkways, platforms |
| GCM-50 | 50 mm (2 in) | 38 × 38 mm | 24.6 | 76 mm | 68% | Heavy traffic, vehicle areas |
Standard panels: 1220 × 3660 mm, 1000 × 4040 mm, 1220 × 4040 mm. Other depths, meshes and panel sizes on request. Values shown are typical production data — certified figures are issued with every order.
Load & Span Table — GCM-38 (38 mm depth)
| Span (mm) | UDL at L/180 deflection (kg/m²) | UDL at L/100 deflection (kg/m²) | Concentrated load, mid-span (kN) | Weight per panel 1220 × 3660 (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 300 | 5 400 | 7 100 | 26.5 | 85 |
| 450 | 2 400 | 3 150 | 11.8 | 85 |
| 600 | 1 350 | 1 775 | 6.6 | 85 |
| 750 | 865 | 1 140 | 4.3 | 85 |
| 900 | 600 | 790 | 3.0 | 85 |
| 1 000 | 485 | 640 | 2.4 | 85 |
| 1 200 | 335 | 440 | 1.7 | 85 |
| 1 500 | 215 | 285 | 1.1 | 85 |
UDL = uniformly distributed load. Concentrated load assumes 250 mm contact width across the full panel width, mid-span, at L/180 deflection. Safety factor of 3 applied to ultimate values. Check your span interactively →
How to read this table as an engineer
Pick your support span (center-to-center of bearing bars), find the deflection limit your specification allows — L/180 for most industrial walkways, L/100 where a firmer feel is acceptable — and confirm the applied load is below the listed capacity. For 38 mm grating, the commonly specified duty is 5 kN point load on a 1.2 m span, met with margin by the values above.
Resin Options
Resin selection decides the service life. When you send an inquiry, tell us the chemicals, concentrations and temperature — we will confirm the resin system against our chemical resistance data.
| Resin system | Corrosion performance | Max continuous temp | Fire rating (ASTM E84) | Relative cost | Typical service |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orthophthalic polyester (GP) | General purpose; mild chemical splash, outdoor weathering | 60 °C | Class 2 typical | 1.0 (base) | Dry industrial walkways, marinas, fencing |
| Isophthalic polyester (ISO) | Superior water and dilute-chemical resistance; standard for wastewater | 65 °C | Class 1 available | 1.15× | Wastewater plants, chemical wash-down areas, cooling towers |
| Vinyl ester (VE) | Excellent across strong acids, alkalis and solvents; retains approx. 95% flexural strength after 12 months in 10% H₂SO₄ | 90 °C | Class 1 | 1.5× | Pickling lines, plating plants, tank farms, hot process areas |
| Phenolic (PH) | Chemical performance of ISO with lowest smoke and flame spread | 120 °C | Class 1, low smoke index | 2.0× | Offshore platforms, tunnels, accommodation modules, naval |
Full chemical retention values by chemical class are published in the chemical resistance chart.
Fire Performance & Standards
| Test | Standard | Result (VE / PH system) |
|---|---|---|
| Flame spread | ASTM E84 | Class 1 (≤25) |
| Flammability | ASTM D635 | Self-extinguishing |
| Tensile strength | ASTM D638 | ≥ 130 MPa (laminate) |
| Flexural strength | ASTM D790 | ≥ 190 MPa (laminate) |
| Compressive strength | ASTM D695 | ≥ 170 MPa (laminate) |
| Glass content | Burn-off | 25–32% by weight |
Documentation with every order
Mill certificate per production batch, load test reports, and third-party SGS witness inspection available before shipment. ISO 9001-controlled production; EN 13706-consistent profile raw material for pultruded lines.
Specifiers' note
If your specification cites USCG, ABS or DNV acceptance for offshore service, tell us at quotation stage — phenolic system test dossiers can be submitted for project approval.
Custom & OEM Capability
- Non-standard depths, mesh and panel dimensions
- Cut-outs for pipes, pumps, handrail posts and equipment bases
- Pre-drilled fixing holes and chamfered edges to layout drawings
- Custom RAL colors on volume orders
- Integrated nosing, kick plates and visual edge marking
- Kit supply: panels + clips + anchor bolts packed per installation zone
Send a layout drawing (DWG, PDF or even a marked-up sketch) — we return a cut list, weight and unit price.
Where This Panel Is Specified
Installation & Accessories
Fixing, in four steps
- Lay panels on supports with bearing bars perpendicular to the span, 600–1000 mm depending on duty (see load table).
- Butt adjacent panels with a 3–6 mm thermal gap.
- Fix four M8 hold-down clips per panel; add G-clips at panel joints.
- For pultruded systems, resin-seal cut bearing bars. Molded panels need no edge treatment.
Matching accessories (one system, one supplier)
- M8 hold-down clips, 316 SS or FRP
- G-clips / lattice clips for panel joints
- GRP angles, channels and C-profiles for edge trim and support framing
- Stair tread nosing and yellow hazard edging
- Handrail and cage ladder systems from the same production line