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Round Tubing Materials and Their Relative Advantages

What's a Pultrusion Process?

This manufacturing process converts reinforced fibers and liquid resin into a fiber-reinforced plastic using a pulling method, as opposed to a pushing method used in an extrusion process.

The first step in the pultrusion process is to saturate the fibers by pulling them through a resin impregnator containing a bath made of epoxy, polyurethane, polyester, and/or vinyl ester.

Often, fillers and additives such as colorant, fire inhibitors, and UV retardants are blended into the bath to enhance the finished product.

Next, the saturated fibers enter a "pre-former" tool that squeezes out excess resin and shape the fiber reinforcements. The composite is then pulled through a heated steel die, which cures the thermosetting resin to create a solidified polymer of the intended shape and size.

Lastly, the hardened polymer is pulled toward a cutting blade so it can be cut into the desired length. Urethane pull blocks are used to prevent the finished product from cracks, distortion, and deformation during this process.

Compared to extrusion, pultruded materials demonstrate higher tensile strength because of the continuous length of reinforcing fibers -- making them lightweight yet strong.

Applications of Pultruded Fiberglass Round Tubes & Pipes

Pultruded fiberglass tubes have unique characteristics suitable for a wide range of applications.

Round tubes of various diameters are used in antenna housings, handles for tools (e.g., snow shovels, paint rollers, mop and broom, lawn garden tools), tree pruners, professional service tools, railing systems, telescoping tools, and flag poles.

Thanks to their low cost, lightweight, ease of handling, versatility, strength, durability, and long lifecycle, pultruded fiberglass tubes are widely used in many industries:

Construction and Infrastructure

Commonly used in outdoor Construction projects since they don't rot, rust, corrode, or crumble. They can be cut and shaped easily using simple tools and the low maintenance requirements often translate into a lower cost of ownership. They can be found in bridge components, corrosion-resistant guardrails, antenna housing, railway crossing arms, and highway sound barriers.

Utility and Telecommunications

The durable and non-conductive nature, as well as non-magnetic electromagnetic transparency property make pultruded fiberglass tubes ideal for use in utility poles, cross arms, and line markers, electrical lines and trunking, wastewater and water treatment components, non conductive ladder rails, and fiber optic cabling.

Tool Manufacturing

FRP can be used to create ergonomic shapes for various handheld tools or devices thanks to its safety, versatility, and reliability. Since it's non-conductive, it's often used to protect end-users from hot or electrified components.

Sporting, Recreational and Outdoor Equipment

Pultruded fiberglass tubes are used in outdoor equipment that needs to endure heavy wear and tear. For instance, outdoor furniture made with FRP can withstand prolonged exposure to moisture, sunlight, and heat.

Meanwhile, pultruded fiberglass tubes are often incorporated into sporting equipment that needs to be light, tough, and reliable (e.g., golf clubs, hockey sticks, sailing equipment, paddles, ski poles.)