COMPARISON

FRP PROFILES

A42 STEEL

ALUMINIUM

WOOD

CORROSION RESISTANCE

Broad-spectrum chemical resistance. Not affected by water immersion.

Prone to rust and corrosion. Must be protected.

May suffer corrosion. Can be avoided with coatings.

May rot when exposed to water or chemicals.

DENSITY

Density = 1.85 g/cm3

 Density = 7.85 g/cm3

 Density = 2.7 g/cm3

Relative density = 0.51, oven-dried

ELECTRICAL AND THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY

Does not conduct electricity. Low thermal conductivity.

Conducts electricity. Conducts heat.

Conducts electricity.
Conducts heat.

Conducts electricity when wet.

STRENGTH

High strength/weight ratio.

Greater weight for the same strength.

 Greater weight for the same strength.

Lower strength.

IMPACT RESISTANCE

The glass fabric distributes the impact load over the material.

Material may be deformed by an impact load.

Highly deformable under impact loads.

Clearly deformable.

TRANSPARENCY TO WAVES

Transparent to EMI/RFI transmissions

Interferes with EMI/RFI transmissions

Interferes with EMI/RFI transmissions

Similar to FRP.

INSTALLATION

Lightweight for lifting and installation.

Special equipment in installation

Greater load than FRP for lifting and installation.

Similar to FRP.

PRICE

Low maintenance and installation cost.

Low initial cost. For proper maintenance, additional costs higher than those for FRP are necessary.

Price of material similar to FRP. For proper maintenance, additional costs higher than those for FRP are necessary.

 Lower initial cost. For proper maintenance, additional costs higher than those for FRP are necessary.

COLOUR AND FINISH

Added pigments make a wide range of colors available.

Steel must be painted to get color.

Silver color. Other colors require treatments.

Must be painted to achieve a colored finish.  Repainting necessary.