Tag: FRP Doors

Abstract

Cleanrooms require doors that can maintain a sterile environment, resist corrosion, and withstand frequent cleaning with harsh chemicals. This blog compares the performance of molded Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (FRP) doors with powder-coated steel doors in cleanroom applications, highlighting the advantages of molded FRP doors.

Introduction

Cleanrooms are controlled environments used in manufacturing, scientific research, and medical facilities where pollutants like dust, airborne microbes, and aerosol particles are limited. Doors in these environments must meet stringent standards for cleanliness, durability, and resistance to corrosion.

Advantages of Molded FRP Doors

Durability and Strength

Molded FRP doors are known for their exceptional strength and rigidity due to the uniform distribution of fibers achieved during the molding process. This results in a door that can withstand heavy use and accidental impacts without compromising its integrity.

Chemical and Impact Resistance

The seamless construction of molded FRP doors provides superior chemical resistance, making them ideal for environments with exposure to corrosive substances. They also offer better impact resistance compared to doors with seams or joints, which can be vulnerable to damage.

Long-Term Performance

Molded FRP doors are designed for longevity, requiring minimal maintenance over their lifespan. They do not rot, rust, swell, warp, or corrode, ensuring that they remain functional and aesthetically pleasing for years.

Hygiene and Cleanliness

The non-porous surface of molded FRP doors makes them easy to clean and disinfect, a critical feature for cleanroom applications. They can withstand the toughest cleaning regimes, including vaporized hydrogen peroxide (VHP) and chlorine releasing agents.

Disadvantages of Powder Coated Steel Doors

Corrosion and Maintenance

While powder-coated steel doors can resist common alcohol-based cleaners, they may degrade over time when exposed to harsher chemicals used in cleanrooms. This can lead to increased maintenance and potential replacement costs.

Weight and Installation

The weight of steel doors can pose challenges during installation, requiring special equipment and care to handle and position correctly. This can increase the complexity and cost of installation.

Aesthetic Limitations

Powder-coated steel doors may not offer the same level of customization and aesthetic options as molded FRP doors, which can be finished with various colors and textures.

Conclusion

Molded FRP doors outperform powder-coated steel doors in cleanroom applications due to their superior durability, chemical and impact resistance, long-term performance, and ease of maintenance. Their ability to maintain hygiene and cleanliness makes them the preferred choice for facilities aiming to adhere to strict cleanroom standards.

What are Dortek molded FRP doors? 

Dortek molded FRP doors are manufactured from high technology engineering composites using a unique closed mould process. This creates a strong, uniform product with no seams or joins on the door surface and no voids, holes or crevices within for bacteria to harbour.

Ultra Hygienic Design

With a smooth and seamless construction, Dortek molded FRP doors have no ledges, recesses or right angles where dust or bacteria can be trapped and grow. Our FRP doors are free of timber and other organic materials that promote bacterial growth. This makes them ideally suited to areas requiring maximum hygiene and cleanability.

Fire & Heat Resistant

Dortek FRP fire doors meet over 50 independent tested specifications compliant with worldwide regulations. Our fire rated FRP doors are completely heat resistant and designed to withstand areas with high humidity and extreme temperatures.

Waterproof

The in-organic, closed cell core of Dortek molded FRP doors means they do not absorb moisture. They remain unaffected from exposure to chlorinated water, steam and cleaning chemicals. Dortek doors will not swell, rot, rust or warp even after years of usage.

Chemical Resistant

The non-porous smooth hygienic surfaces of Dortek FRP doors make them extremely easy to clean. Dortek molded FRP doors have excellent resistance to most disinfectants, solvents and other strong chemicals including H2O2. Have a look at our chemical resistance Have a look at our chemical resistance test for more details.

Extreme Strength & Durability

Dortek molded FRP doors are built to last, even in the harshest of environments; our doors will not dent, warp, swell, rot or rust. Dortek FRP doors are proven to outperform steel and wood alternatives, bringing you a lifetime of durability and the ultimate cost effective solution. Have a look at our strength test for more information.

Lightweight

42% lighter than wood and steel doors, Dortek FRP doors are much safer and easier to operate. Heavier doors often require expensive maintenance work or replacement due to excessive wear on hinges and closers.

Color

Dortek fiberglass doors are available in a wide range of  colors. Unlike alternatives, color is built into a Dortek door during the manufacturing process. The outer skin of the door has a gel coat finish which is chemically bonded to the glass fiber. This ensures that the door will never require repainting or refinishing. View Dorteks colour chart here. 

Custom Made

We understand that not all projects are the same. All of our molded FRP doors are custom made to meet your needs exactly. We can produce hygienic doors which are capable of resisting fire, water, laser, x-ray or a combination of requirements.

Maintenance Free 

Dortek doors are exceptionally lightweight, impact resistant with long lasting built in color. This gives them low life cycle costs and means they are often proven to outlive their usage.

Uncompromising Quality

Were so confident about the quality of our Doors that we can offer a guarantee for up to 25 years on our door blades. This is against failure due to corrosion, swelling, rot, warp, separation, delamination or expansion. *subject to our terms and conditions.

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