The fibreglass used in the sports goal posts, flag and banner poles is manufactured in Australia by an Australian owned company and is lightweight, durable, low maintenance and finished in a brilliant high gloss white gel coat. Our fibreglass products are a cost effective alternative to metal and timber products.
There are significant environmental benefits of choosing sustainable fibreglass products over metal and timber products. There are no large smoke plumes or other forms of environmental pollution from the manufacture of GRP (glass reinforced plastics) / FRP (fibre reinforced plastics) products.
Fibreglass is environmentally friendly, economical and as it is highly resistant to corrosion it is more suitable than steel, aluminium and timber. There are many advantages of fibreglass products over other materials including:
| Safer: | fibreglass is a low conductor of electricity / lightning so is safer than metal poles. |
| Low Conductor: | non-metallic fibreglass does not spark and is safer near electrical hazards. |
| Corrosion Resistant: | designed for aggressive environments with no coating or treating required. |
| Low Maintenance: | virtually maintenance free. Won’t rust, rot, oxidise, decay reducing life cycle cost. |
| Colour-fast: | pigmented so the surface will not darken or fade, become powdery or crack. |
| Low-Maintenance: | natural insulator requiring no thermal break. Will not absorb moisture or mould. |
| Durable: | gel-coat is impervious to salt spray and industrial polluted atmospheres. |
| Sound Absorbing: | acoustically efficient achieving the highest rating for sound deadening. |
| Impact Resistant: | inherent flexibility to resist impact and failure. Safer for road-side use. |
| Lightweight: | up to 75% lighter than steel making it easier and cheaper to handle and install. |
| Strong: | high strength-to-weight ratio so fibreglass is rigid but naturally flexible. |
| Easy To Handle: | strong but light weight alternative where heavy lifting or site access is an issue. |
| Easy to Store: | multi-piece design allows for easy transport and storage of all height products. |
Manufactured from glass-reinforced polyester (GRP) using low pressure casting methods, a key element in the quality and consistency of a fibreglass pole is the material composition and structure. Our composite of 60% glass is made up of strands which are unbroken along the length of the pole except where the security door is fitted in the shaft. This area is reinforced with additional layers of composite applied above and below the opening.
The glass fibre is then dipped into a resin-filled basin, then laid in several overlapping layers and rolled around a shaft before being moulded into shape. Once polymerisation has taken place in the mould, the pole is fitted with its parts and accessories. The finished result is a long lasting, high strength fibreglass reinforced pole with specially selected polyester resin and colour pigment added throughout each layer giving a smooth, hard and brilliantly glossy finish.
Unlike the production of metal and timber products, the production process for GRP / FRP products is extremely benign. Even the production of the base resins and the glass fibre rovings have little environmental impact when compared to the production of steel for example. As with most synthetic products the resins are derived from petroleum by-products. Although there appears to be little threat to the sustainability of Polyester and Vinylester resins and glass fibre rovings, research is continually seeking alternative raw materials that are able to provide similar or better qualities.
Development continues with the use of bio-composites and natural fibres. GRP / FRP Polyester and Vinylester products should not be confused with what is generalised as Plastics. The ester resins are more environmentally friendly and sustainable because they do not break down as quickly as the PVA and PVC products. Consequently, there is no continual need to manufacture replacement materials and dispose of or recycle the old. The recycle process alone creates a larger carbon footprint than the production of new GRP / FRP products.
The nature in which Plastics break down often results in the surface becoming dry, brittle and powdery. This powder ultimately disperses into the local environment when used outdoors. It is generally acknowledged that GRP / FRP Polyester and Vinylester products will have a service life of more than 50 years and many suggest a longevity of 100+ years, giving a greener and more cost effective product.
GRP / FRP products can also be disposed of with minimal effect upon the environment. It is possible to virtually mulch the products down into small non toxic fragments or dust that can be returned to the earth. Because GRP / FRP products have so many great green benefits to the development of society and industry in general, there is continual research into the methods of disposal of waste materials.
Using fibreglass in lieu of steel, aluminium and timber also means there will be less demand upon our natural resources and a reduction of the environmental impact resulting from the production of metals and the disposal of their waste.
Our contact details are provided below or, you can use our Online Contact Form to send us your enquiry.
Contact David:
Telephone: 1300 744 366
Mobile: 0413 940 722
E-mail: david@netting.com.au