The use of PRFV has been expanding day by day, but in many cases without criteria or critical analysis, thus harming its use even for already established equipment.

For that we will understand what is in fact the Polymer Reinforced with Fiberglass (PRFV).

Material Composed by agglomerations of thin glass filaments that are not rigid but highly flexible. When added to the polyester resin (or other type of resin), it becomes the compound popularly known as Fiberglass or PRFV.

PRFV has high traction, flexion, and impact resistance, being highly used in structural applications. It is light and does not conduct electrical current, and also it is used as a structural insulator. It allows a great design flexibility, enabling the molding of complex pieces, large or small, without amendments and with great functional and aesthetic value.

It does not rust and has exceptional resistance to environments that are highly aggressive to conventional materials. Fiberglass chemical resistance is determined by the resin and laminate construction. It can be produced in simple and cheap molds, allowing commercialization of large and complex pieces with low production volumes. Design changes are easily made in the production molds, avoiding new molds construction. Maintenance costs are low because of the high chemical inertia and weather elements resistance in the material.

In other words, that is a very interesting material, versatile and that allows numerous applications, but with care, because like everything in this life and world, the PRFV also has its limitations.

Regardless of sunscreen or UV resistant addition in its formula, its resistance is relatively low, so that as a consequence it results in a mechanical resistance reduction.

Its mechanical resistance is good, specially when it is added more fiber or fabric, which increases its resistance, however if compared to steel, in the same dimensions, it loses by far.

Therefore it is important to mention, Standard PRFV gates (AWWA C563) are good and work, but when the application has high hydraulic load, large drawer size and high sun exposure, they are not feasible, as their engineering requires reinforcements which rises the prices for more than steel sluice gates.

Fiber Gates are typically suggested only for small Stop Logs and Channel Gates, since they operate only on 3 sides and have low hydraulic pressure.

For greater pressure Gates, large dimension and / or high exposure to the sun, it is suggested the application of stainless steel gates.

It is worth remembering that concepts to increasing mechanical strength, as a carbon steel soul, is a big mistake, because as PRFV is porous, the fluid penetrates into the Fiber and gets in contact with the Carbon Steel, thus generating its oxidation and consequently the delamination of PRFV.