Home > Composites > Fiberglass PU Sandwich Panels
FRP(fiberglass reinforced plastic) PU foam sandwich panels are thermal insulation composite materials that consist of two outer layers made of Fiber Reinforced Plastic (FRP) and a core layer composed of Polyurethane (PU) foam.
The FRP panels serve as protective skins, while the PU core offers excellent insulation.
- Extremely lightweight material
- Superior thermal insulation
- Ultra-low thermal conductivity
- Weather resistant
- Easy to install
- Easy to cut
A leading Polyurethane Sandwich Panel Manufacturer in China
We offer modular polyurethane sandwich panels for wall panels, roof panels, floors and more on refrigerated truck bodies to help you build cost-effective, weather-resistant structures. It can reduce assembly time, save construction costs, and speed up project delivery.
Structure of FRP PU
Outer Layers: FRP Panels
The outer layers of Fiberglass PU foam sandwich panels are made from FRP sheets, which are composed of glass fibers embedded in a resin matrix. This combination provides high tensile strength, impact resistance, and durability.
The FRP sheets can be customized in terms of thickness and surface finish, including options for gel coating to enhance weather resistance and aesthetic appeal.
Core Material: Polyurethane Foam
The core material, PU foam, is known for its superior thermal insulation properties. It is produced through a chemical reaction between polyols and isocyanates, resulting in a lightweight, closed-cell structure that minimizes heat transfer. The thermal conductivity of PU foam ranges from 0.018 to 0.028 W/m·K, making it one of the most effective insulation materials available.
Other Core Material
While PU foam is the most common core material used in FRP sandwich panels, other options include Expanded Polystyrene (EPS), Extruded Polystyrene (XPS), and polypropylene (PP) honeycomb. Each core material offers distinct advantages, such as varying degrees of insulation, weight, and cost, allowing for tailored solutions based on specific application requirements.
Embedded Reinforcement Material
For some applications that require increased strength (such as refrigerated trucks and RVs), reinforced structural materials such as wood, aluminum tubes, fiberglass reinforced plastic tubes, and high-strength plastic bars will be embedded inside the fiberglass XPS foam sandwich panels.
Specifications of PU Sandwich Panels
| Item | Specification |
|---|---|
| External layer | FRP (Glass Fiber Reinforced Plastic). CFRT (Continuous fiber reinforced thermoplastic). Aluminum sheet. Pre-painted steel sheet. |
| Core Material | Polyurethane Foam |
| Panel Thickness | 10 mm–150 mm (Customized) |
| Core Density | 28–50 kg/m³ (Customized) |
| Thermal Conductivity | 0.017–0.033 W/m·K |
| Panel Width | ≤3.2 meters |
| Panel Length | ≤12 meters |
| Embedded Structure | Aluminum Tubes, Steel Tubes, or Wood |
| Surface Treatment | Glossy, Matte, or Embossed Finish |
| Working Temperature | -40℃ to 100℃ |
| Reinforcement Options | Aluminum, Wood, High-Strength Steel Tubes |
| Production Method | Vacuum Compression Technology |
| Surface Colors | Custom RAL Colors |
Technical Data
| Item | Standard | Unit | Data |
| External Color | / | / | White RAL9016 or 9003 |
| Thickness | / | mm | 80 |
| Areal Weight | / | kg/m² | 7.85 |
| Regular Size | / | m | 6×2.4 |
| Foam Density | GB/T 6343-2009 | kg/m³ | 40 |
| Compression Strength | GB/T 8813 | Kpa | 364 |
| Thermal Conductivity | / | W/M·K | 0.023 |
Advantages
- Lightweight and Durable
One of the most significant advantages of FRP PU sandwich panels is their lightweight nature, which is typically 30-40% lighter than traditional materials.
- Thermal Insulation Properties
The thermal insulation properties of FRP PU sandwich panels are exceptional, with a total heat transfer coefficient (K value) that can be lower than 0.3 W/m²·K.
- Surface Properties
The surface of FRP panels exhibits high tensile strength, bending strength, and impact toughness. Additionally, the FRP surface is resistant to moisture, chemicals, and UV radiation, enhancing the longevity of the panels.
- Environmental Benefits
FRP PU sandwich panels are environmentally friendly, as they are recyclable and can be produced with minimal waste.
Advantage Comparison:
FRP PU composite material vs. traditional refrigerated truck material (e.g. aluminum, stainless steel plate)
| Feature | Traditional Materials (Aluminum Plate, Stainless Steel Plate) | Fixed size and shape, difficult to design flexibly |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | Heavy, increases transportation burden | Lightweight, reduces overall vehicle weight, lowers fuel consumption |
| Thermal Conductivity | High, easily transmits temperature differences, affects temperature retention | Low, good thermal insulation, maintains stable internal temperature |
| Insulation Performance | Poor, easily affected by external temperature | Superior, effectively insulated with polyurethane and other core materials |
| Corrosion Resistance | Susceptible to moisture and salt corrosion | Excellent corrosion resistance, suitable for humid environments |
| Wear Resistance | Fixed-size and shape, difficult to design flexibly | Strong, resists wear and impact during regular use |
| Ease of Repair | Difficult to repair, requires specialized tools and skills | Simple and quick repair, easy to fix when material breaks |
| Appearance | Easily affected by friction and external forces, the surface easily wears | Smooth, aesthetic, durable surface, not easily damaged |
| Cost | High, especially in large-scale production | Slightly higher initial cost, but lower long-term operating costs (reduces fuel and maintenance costs) |
| Adaptability | Fixed size and shape, difficult to design flexibly | Highly customizable, adapts to different customer needs |
| Product Lifespan | Limited lifespan, may rust or corrode | Long lifespan, durable, low maintenance frequency |
| Environmental Impact | Difficult to recycle, significant environmental impact from metal materials | Recyclable, more environmentally friendly |
| Application Scope | Primarily used in traditional refrigerated trucks and containers | Suitable for refrigerated trucks, containers, cold storage, and various cold chain transportation scenarios |
- From the comparison table, we can see that New FRP PU composite materials have shown superior performance in many aspects, especially in terms of weight, heat preservation, corrosion resistance, wear resistance, and repair convenience.
Applications
Commonly used in refrigeration, insulation and freezing applications.
- Refrigerated trucks
- Recreational vehicles
- Prefabricated houses
- Cold storage facilities
- Industrial and commercial buildings
- Cooling tower
Our Advantages
- Customization: One-stop customized service, efficient, high-precision, and standardized production.
- Modular: Modular design for quick installation.
- Accessories Service: Provide design and processing of various metal parts.