FRP Sheets for Refrigerated Trucks and Building Wall Panels

Although both FRP (fiberglass reinforced plastic) sheets used in refrigerated trucks and building wall panels belong to the category of FRP sheets, they differ in structure, material selection, and performance requirements due to different application scenarios.

🚚 Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic Sheets for Refrigerated Trucks

Structural Forms

• Single-layer sheet: Primarily used as an inner lining or for localized reinforcement, typically 1-3mm thick.

• Sandwich composite sheet: The mainstream structure, consisting of two layers of FRP panels and an insulating core, with an overall thickness of 50-100mm. The core material is mostly rigid polyurethane (PU) foam, with some using XPS or honeycomb panels.

Core Performance Requirements

• Mechanical Properties: Must withstand vibrations, impacts, and cargo compression during vehicle operation. For example, a 2.5mm thick FRP sheet can achieve a tensile strength of 166MPa, a flexural strength of approximately 248MPa, and an impact strength of approximately 143kJ/m².

• Thermal Insulation: To achieve the -18℃ freezing requirement, the overall heat transfer coefficient (K-value) of the compartment must be below 0.3 W/(m²·K). This relies on a combination of low thermal conductivity PU foam core material (λ≈0.018-0.028 W/(m·K)) and FRP panels (λ≈0.23 W/(m²·K)).

• Surface and Hygiene: The inner surface must be smooth, crack-free, and easy to clean and disinfect. Food-grade resin is typically used, or a corresponding food-grade testing report is provided to meet the hygiene standards for food and pharmaceutical transportation.

• Weather Resistance and Corrosion Resistance: The outer surface must be resistant to ultraviolet radiation, high and low temperatures (-40℃ to +120℃), and have good resistance to rainwater, acids, alkalis, and salts to prevent aging, cracking, and corrosion.

Typical Specifications Reference

• Panel Thickness: 1.0 - 3.0 mm

• Panel Width: ≤ 3.0 m

• Panel Length: Customizable, commonly 9-10 m

• Core Material Thickness: 50 - 100 mm

• Core Material Density (PU): 42 - 50 kg/m³

🏢 Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic (FRP) Panels for Buildings

FRP panels for buildings are mainly divided into two categories: composite wall panels used as enclosure materials and cleanroom panels used as decorative linings.

1. As Prefabricated Building Wall Panels

These wall panels must meet the industry standard JG/T 578-2021 "Technical Requirements for Wall Panels for Prefabricated Buildings". Core performance requirements include:

• Structural Safety: Must withstand wind loads (wind pressure ≥ 1.0 kPa), earthquakes, etc., ensuring that the panel deflection is within allowable limits (e.g., L/250) and that no plastic deformation or detachment occurs.

• Physical Properties: Clear requirements are set for airtightness, watertightness, in-plane deformation (seismic resistance), and sound insulation (compliant with GB 50118).

• Thermal Performance: The heat transfer coefficient (K-value) must meet building energy efficiency design standards (e.g., GB 50176, GB 50189).

• Fire Safety: Combustion performance must be no lower than Class A (non-combustible) or Class B1 (flame-retardant) as specified in GB 8624.

• Durability and Environmental Protection: Material radioactivity (GB 6566) and indoor environmental pollution (GB 50325) must meet standards.

2. As Cleanroom/Decorative Interior Wall Panels

Commonly used in cleanrooms or laboratories in pharmaceutical and electronics factories. Core requirements are as follows:

• Surface Characteristics: Smooth and flat surface, non-dust-absorbing, easy to clean, dust-free; joints must be sealed.

• Chemical Resistance: Able to withstand repeated wiping with common disinfectants.

• Antibacterial and anti-mildew properties: Possesses antibacterial and anti-mildew properties, complying with GMP and other cleanroom standards.

• Physical properties: Possesses sufficient bending strength and impact resistance to meet the stress requirements during installation and use.

📊 Core Differences Comparison

Comparison Dimensions: Refrigerated Truck Fiberglass Panels, Architectural Fiberglass Panels

Core Functions: Load-bearing, insulation, sealing, weather resistance; Enclosure, insulation/heat insulation, sound insulation, fire resistance, decoration

Structural Forms: Primarily sandwich composite panels; Composite wall panels, cleanroom panels, decorative panels, etc.

Key Performance: Mechanical properties, K-value, hygiene, weather resistance; Structural safety, fire rating, sound insulation, thermal performance, environmental protection

Typical Standards: Enterprise standards, GB 29753 (whole vehicle), JG/T 578-2021, GB 8624, GB 50016, etc.

Panel Thickness: 1.0 - 3.0 mm; 1.0 - 5.0 mm (depending on application)

Core Material/Backing: PU/XPS foam, honeycomb panel; Rock wool, polyurethane, gypsum board, light steel keel, etc.

💡 Material Selection and Communication Suggestions

1. 1. Define the intended use: First, determine whether it's for refrigerated truck compartments or building walls, as the standards and focuses are completely different.

2. Specify key specifications: When communicating with the manufacturer, directly provide core requirements such as thickness, core material, K-value, fire resistance rating, and hygiene requirements. This is more efficient than vague discussions.

3. Request testing reports: Request the manufacturer to provide authoritative testing reports from authoritative institutions on mechanical properties, thermal insulation, fire resistance, and hygiene (if applicable) to ensure product performance meets standards.