thermosetting composites (FRP) and thermoplastic composites (FRT)

Glass fiber composites are mainly divided into two types: thermosetting composites (FRP) and thermoplastic composites (FRT). 

Thermosetting composites are mainly based on thermosetting resins such as unsaturated polyester resins, epoxy resins, phenolic resins, etc., while thermoplastic composites are mainly based on polypropylene resin (PP) and polyamide (PA). Thermoplasticity means that after processing, curing and cooling, it can still achieve fluidity after reheating and can be processed and molded again. From 2013 to 2021, China's thermoplastic production growth rate was about 9%, 7.45 percentage points higher than thermosetting. Thermoplastic composites have a high investment threshold, but the product production process has a high degree of automation, and the product can be recycled and reused, which can gradually replace thermosetting composites. Thermoplastic production increased from 1.37 million tons to 2.74 million tons, while thermosetting production increased from 2.73 million tons to 3.1 million tons. The growth trend of thermoplastic composites is obvious.