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Thermoplastic Composite Applications

Thermoplastic Composite materials offer benefits over traditional materials in a wide range of applications. Any structure exposed to harsh environmental conditions requiring corrosion and rot resistance is a potential application for Thermoplastic Composites.

Bridges: Entire bridge structures can be built from Thermoplastic Composites. The technology has been proven in vehicular, tank and railroad bridges. Three HS-25 rated bridges and two E-60 rated bridges have been successfully constructed and are currently in service.

Railroad Ties: Thermoplastic Composites offer exceptional value in railroad tie applications. The material will last far longer than wood or concrete ties, and will not leach any harmful chemicals into the environment. The material has been successfully tested on with over one billion gross tons of freight traveling on the first test ties installed over twelve years ago, without a single incident. Thermoplastic Composite ties have also been installed in one of the highest volume freight corridors in the nation without incident. In accelerated weathering tests, the ties exhibited no loss of strength after fifty years of simulated conditions. Additionally, long lengths are available for complex switch tie applications.

Retaining Walls/Sea Walls – Thermoplastic Composites offer great strength and durability in both retaining wall and sea wall application. The material will not corrode or rot and is impervious to insects and marine borers. Simple retaining walls using Thermoplastic Composite railroad ties can be easily constructed without the risks of harmful pressure treating chemicals common with wood tie. Utilizing tongue and groove products, retaining walls and sea walls can be constructed. For high loading applications, I-Beams with cross members run between the flanges offer excellent design flexibility, high strength and durability.

Decks/Piers – Thermoplastic Composites are very well suited to decking applications. Unlike other plastic lumber products, the immiscible polymer blend material offers exceptional strength and is suitable for structural applications. Decks can be designed following the design strategy used in the tank and railroad bridges, but with much lower capacities.

Marine Structures including Fixed and Floating Docks:  Thermoplastic Composite pilings offer an excellent foundation for marine structures. The I-Beams provide a strong substructure for both fixed and floating structures. In these applications, the material will offer longevity providing superior economic value over the life of the structure.