A Comparative Analysis of FRP Ladders and Conventional Ladders
Ladders are an essential tool for both professionals and non-professionals in a variety of industries. From construction sites to household applications, they offer a safe and stable platform to perform tasks at height. Traditionally, aluminum ladders have been the most widely used type of ladder. However, with research into non-conventional engineering materials, fiberglass-reinforced plastic (FRP) composite ladders are gaining in popularity. In this blog post, we explore the applications of ladders, compare the features of FRP composite ladders and aluminum ladders, and discuss why FRP ladders are not widely preferred in the market.
Applications of Ladders
Here are some common applications of ladders:
- Industrial applications (Chemical plants, Manufacturing industries, etc.)
- Transportation (Firefighting Vehicles, Marine and Mass transport).
- Water and Sewage Water Treatment plants.
- Electrical substations and Power plants.
- Paper industry and Food processing plants.
- Civil Constructions.
- Household applications.
Comparative Study
Conventionally Aluminum ladders are widely used in various sectors. Aluminum is lighter and easier to transport, making it a better and more commonly used material for straight and full-length extension ladders and even, mobile platform ladders.
As per ground, market research Aluminum ladders are preferred over other types of ladders due to their recyclability. This means once the Aluminum ladder is damaged; it can give a scrap value. Also, Aluminum ladders are durable, corrosion resistant, and light in weight they have a strong adaptability in different professional and nonprofessional sectors.
Why FRP composite ladders?
The whole world is worried about depleting natural and conventional resources. To solve this puzzle, many researchers are ongoing to develop non-conventional engineering materials. And as they say “Researches made worldwide have proved that composite materials exhibit extraordinary properties. Hence most of the world is adopting modern composite materials over conventional engineering materials.”
Fiberglass (FRP) is highly resistant to corrosion from a large variety of chemicals which can corrode Aluminum also. For example, strong alkaline solutions, inorganic acids, and heavy metal salts can be very corrosive to Aluminum. FRP has excellent corrosion resistance to acidic and alkaline environments.
FRP is also unaffected by exposure to water, even in marine environments. This makes fiberglass ladders suitable for many industrial applications.
Fiberglass ladders are open to being manufactured to any height but their weight increases with height, therefore making it difficult to be handled by one person alone. But Strength wise, FRP ladders are stronger and more rigid than Aluminum.
| FEATURES | FRP LADDERS | ALUMINIUM LADDERS |
| CHEMICAL RESISTANCE | More Chemically resistant | Less chemically resistant |
| UV AND WEATHER RESISTANCE | More | Less |
| DURABILITY | Higher than Aluminum | Lower than FRP |
| SAFETY IN TERMS OF STRENGTH | Stronger than aluminum hence safe | Less in Strength |
| SAFETY IN TERMS OF ELECTRIC INSULATION | FRP is a good insulator hence safe in electrical fields | Aluminum is a good conductor of electricity |
| SAFETY IN TERMS OF THERMAL INSULATION | FRP is good thermal Insulator than Aluminum | Aluminum is a conductor of heat |
| COST | FRP Ladder is having more cost | Aluminum Ladder is comparatively cheaper |
| WEIGHT | Comparatively Heavier | Lighter in Weight |
So, FRP ladders found more Pros compared to Aluminium ladders.
Why these FRP ladders are not widely preferred in the market?
The main hindrance due to which the FRP ladder is less popular in the market is Adaptability. In any industry adaptability of any product is very important and is very challenging for ground operations to switch from conventional things to new and advanced things.
Adaptability comes from awareness, a Sense of reliability, and Trust building. Many end users are unaware of FRP ladders and their benefits, Also it is difficult to build trust in these products especially when it comes to human safety.
So firstly to get FRP ladders adapted over conventional Aluminium ladders, it is very important to build trust in this product.
How we can build trust in the product?
The answer to this question is “Testing and analysis of the product”.
To evaluate all Pros of the FRP ladder Different types of testing need to be conducted.
- Fire retardancy:
- Vertical or horizontal flammability tests can be carried out to evaluate the burning behavior of the material. To safeguard the FRP ladder in the context of a Fire incident, it is very important that the material should be Fire retardant. UL-94 or IS 6746 are very common standards that can be followed to ensure flame retardancy of FRP Ladders.
- Spread of the flame test as per ASTM D 635 can also be conducted to understand the spread pattern of fire on FRP ladder material in case of a fire incident.
- Surface Burning characteristics (Flame spread Index and Smoke Developed Index ) As per ASTM E 84 (Also known as Steiner tunnel test) is a big-scale test carried out in a closed Tunnel. It is very useful to evaluate the actual spread of flame and smoke developed in case of fire incidents.
- A limiting Oxygen index test is carried out considering the safety point. This test can give an idea about the minimum oxygen concentration required for the burning of material.
- Electrical Safety
- To evaluate the Insulative properties of the FRP ladder We can conduct an HV test or Dielectric Strength test As per ASTM D 149 to find out the maximum voltage which an FRP ladder material can sustain.
- The Insulation Resistance of FRP material can be tested.
- Antistatic properties of the material can be checked as per ASTM D 257.
- Thermal properties
- To compare the difference in Thermal properties of FRP ladders and Aluminium Ladders, we can conduct a Thermal conductivity test and Thermal expansion coefficient test as per ASTM standards or ISO standards.
- UV protection
- To evaluate the degradation of FRP material properties when exposed to actual Weather conditions and UV radiations, UV resistance testing as per ASTM G 154/155 can be conducted followed by mechanical, physical, and appearance change tests after UV exposure.
- Strength
- To evaluate the Strength of FRP material various Mechanical and Physical Type tests can be conducted as follows
- Tensile Test to evaluate Strength, Young’s Modules, and elongation as per ASTM D 638/3039
- Compressive test to evaluate Strength and Modulus as per ASTM D 6641/3410/695
- Shear Strength test As per ASTM D 2344
- Flexural and Shear modulus of full section profiles of FRP ladder
- The hardness of material As per ASTM D 2583
- Izod Impact strength of FRP material as per ASTM D 256
- Water Absorption test as per ASTM D 570
- Specific Gravity /Density As per ASTM D 792
- To evaluate the Strength of FRP material various Mechanical and Physical Type tests can be conducted as follows
- Safety
- As discussed earlier Safety is the most important parameter to be considered while adopting new products. To ensure the best working safety, FRP ladders can be tested for their performance as per EN 131-2.
- EN131 is a European committee for standardization (CEN) harmonized standard for portable steps and ladders, manufactured from metal and certain other materials such as FRP. It covers minimum safety requirements.
- AS per EN 131 following practice tests are carried out to ensure maximum working safety
- The slip resistance of the feet while the ladder is in the position of use. In this test, the ladder is positioned in an actual way and a determined Static load is applied on the 4th rung/step of the ladder.
- Lateral deflection tests evaluate the bend movement while the ladder is laid on its side. Maximum permissible deflection while the load is applied and after removal of load should not exceed a certain calculated value based on the length of the ladder.
- Horizontal Deflection/Bend test to evaluate the bending movement and maximum deflection while the ladder is placed horizontally.
- Torsion test to evaluate the twist movement whilst the ladder is laid on a test rig. In this test, the torsional load is applied to the center of the rung and the deformation is measured. The same test is conducted when the ladder is placed vertically in the position of its use.
- Strength of Ladder test: In this test, the rung or steps of the ladder are tested to a static load of about 275 Kg. After the removal of the test loads the ladder, stabilizers, and their connections shall remain functional with no fracture or visible cracks.
- Durability test to evaluate the life of the ladder.
This complete testing and evaluation of Ladders can help us to come to the conclusion that FRP ladders can also be preferred as an option to conventional Aluminum ladders and can overcome the limiting factors in the case of aluminum ladders.
At ATIRA we have a facility for testing composite materials used in various engineering sectors.
For Testing Related queries please contact
Composite Materials Testing Laboratory
Ahmedabad Textile Industry’s Research Association (ATIRA)
P.O. Ambawadi Vistar, Ahmedabad- 380 015
Phone: +091-79-26307921-22-23 (Ext: 382)
Fax : +91-79-26304677, Mobile:9096014577
Email: composites_testing@atira.in
Web: www.atira.in
