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Southwell Corp.
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Steel Grating Versus FRP Grating

Pultruded FRP Grating Significantly Outperforms and Outlasts Steel Grating.

FRP grating is superior to steel grating

Our Pultruded FRP Grating combines superior raw materials, composite design, and the pultrusion process to manufacture DURADEK® — the highest quality pultruded fiberglass grating available.

DURADEK® pultruded grating offers superior:

IMPACT RESISTANCE — High ultimate strength prevents impact damage
CORROSION RESISTANCE — Resists most acids, caustics and salts
SAFETY — Low electrical conductivity, non-skid surface

See the chart below for a comparison of FRP Grating versus Steel Grating.

Compare Pultruded Fiberglass Grating with Steel Grating
Comparison	Fiberglass Grating	Steel Grating
Strength	DURADEK® I-6000 FRP Grating, 1-1/2" 48" Span, Ultimate Load = 2032 PSF FRP Grating has a higher ultimate load carrying capacity.	3/16" x 1-1/2" Bar, 1-3/16" o.c. 48" Span, Ultimate Load = 1,160 PSF Steel Grating has about half the load capacity.
Weight	DURADEK® I-6000, 1-1/2" 3.3 PSF FRP Grating is less than a third of the weight.	3/16" x 1-1/2" Bar, 1-3/16" o.c. 11.0 PSF Steel Grating is heavy and cumbersome.
Impact Resistance	Glass mat in Fiberglass grating distributes impact load to prevent surface damage even under sub-zero temperatures. Will not permanently deform. Stays flat for the life of the product.	Steel Grating will permanently deform under impact. Takes a permanent set (dishing) in trench applications due to overloading.
Corrosion Resistance	FRP Grating with standard polyester resin is resistant to corrosion caused by a broad range of acids, caustics and salts. Requires no painting or galvanizing.	Steel Grating will rust even from water. Can cause galvanic corrosion. Requires painting or galvanizing for many applications.
Safety	DURADEK® fiberglass grating has a round silica grit bonded to the surface of bearing bars for non-skid safety. Low in electrical and thermal conductivity.	Non-serrated bars of metal grating are not skid resistant or only skid resistant in one direction. Grounding potential around electrical equipment.
Versatility	FRP Grate can be purchased in a safety yellow or gray with the resin pigmented throughout the bar. No painting required.	Metal Grating must be painted for color. To maintain color and corrosion resistance, repainting may be required.
EMI/RFI Transparency	All fiberglass gratings are transparent to EMI/RFI transmissions.	Steel gratings, and all metal gratings can interfere with EMI/RFI transmissions.
Easy Field Fabrication	FRP Grating can be field fabricated with simple carpenter tools, is easy to cut and is much easier to move and place because it is lightweight.	Metal Grating equires special blades, torch, harder to cut. Requires lifting equipment to move and place.
Cost	Lower installation and maintenance costs in industrial applications often equals lower lifecycle costs for FRP grating.	Lower initial cost for steel grating.
Banding	DURADEK® FRP Grating is an I-bar that does not leave a sharp edge when cut. The bars will not bend or deform in the lateral direction; therefore, DURADEK® does not need to be banded.	Cutting a rectangular steel bar leaves sharp edges. The flat bars will bend and deform in the lateral direction; therefore, steel should be banded for all steel grating.