FIBEROX GFRP

Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer Rebar

The steel replacement for construction in Panama and Central America

FiberoX is a GFRP (Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer) composite reinforcement bar made from glass-fiber strands impregnated with thermosetting polymer resin. Designed to replace conventional steel in reinforced-concrete structures, completely eliminating the corrosion problem — the number-one enemy of construction in tropical, coastal climates like Panama's.

Why FiberoX?

  • ZERO corrosion — Immune to chlorides, humidity, salinity, and beach sand
  • Tensile strength: min. 950 MPa — Nearly double conventional steel (≤Ø12mm)
  • 4× lighter — Density ~2.1 g/cm³ vs. steel's 7.85 g/cm³
  • 100+ year service life — No maintenance from oxidation
  • Non-electrically and non-magnetically conductive — Ideal for hospitals, laboratories, sensitive infrastructure
  • MICI Panama Certified — R-3384-2026, valid through March 2027

Verified Technical Specifications

Source: SK Technical Assessment SK TP-23/0023 (TSÚS, Bratislava, 08/23/2023)

Property Value Test Method
Tensile strength (≤Ø12mm) min. 950 MPa ISO 10406-1:2015
Tensile strength (>Ø12mm) min. 900 MPa ISO 10406-1:2015
Modulus of elasticity min. 45 GPa ISO 10406-1:2015
Elongation at maximum load min. 1.6% ISO 10406-1:2015
Compressive strength min. 320 MPa ASTM D0695-10:2010
Transverse shear strength min. 170 MPa ISO 10406-1:2015
Bond strength in concrete (≤Ø6mm) min. 17.0 MPa ISO 10406-1:2015
Bond strength in concrete (>Ø6mm) min. 13.0 MPa ISO 10406-1:2015
Maximum service temperature min. 55°C EAD 260023-00-0301
Density ~2.1 g/cm³ (4× lighter than steel) —

Available Diameters

Diameter Format MICI Certified
4 mm Bars and coils —
6 mm Bars and coils ✓ Yes
8 mm Bars and coils —
10 mm Bars and coils ✓ Yes
12 mm Bars (up to 12m) ✓ Yes
14 mm Bars (up to 12m) ✓ Yes
16 mm Bars (up to 12m) ✓ Yes

Applications

  • Coastal construction — Docks, marinas, seawalls
  • Bridges and viaducts — Slabs, barriers, drainage
  • Social and residential housing — Beams, columns, slabs
  • High-rise buildings — Balconies, parking structures, façades
  • Road infrastructure — Pavement, gutters, retaining walls
  • Sea ports — Docks, breakwaters, foundations
  • Airports — Runways, taxiways (non-magnetic)
  • Railways — Sleepers, platforms (non-conductive)
  • Pools, cisterns, tanks — Permanent contact with water

Advantages over Conventional Steel

Feature Steel FiberoX GFRP
Corrosion Rusts within 10-20 years ZERO — immune forever
Tensile strength 400-500 MPa 950 MPa (nearly double)
Weight 7.85 g/cm³ 2.1 g/cm³ (4× lighter)
Electrical conductivity Conductive Non-conductive
Magnetism Magnetic Non-magnetic
Service life 25-50 years (with maintenance) 100+ years (no maintenance)
Life-cycle cost (50 years) 100% ~48% (52% savings)

The Panama Factor

Panama faces a unique combination of factors that destroy steel reinforcement:

  • Tropical humidity: 77-90% annual average
  • Intense rainfall: 1,900-2,100 mm per year
  • Marine salinity: Construction within 15 km of the coast
  • Beach sand: Accelerates corrosion in concrete mixes
  • $338M+ in documented damage from corrosion
  • 277+ buildings condemned due to structural deterioration (MIVIOT)

FiberoX GFRP eliminates this problem at the root. No iron = no corrosion. Forever.

Certifications

  • MICI Panama: R-3384-2026 (valid through March 17, 2027)
  • SK Technical Assessment: SK TP-23/0023 (TSÚS, August 2023)
  • ISO 9001:2015 — Quality management
  • ISO 14001 — Environmental management
  • ISO 45001:2018 — Occupational health and safety
  • Design standards: ACI 440.11-22, prEN 1992-1-1, fib Bulletin 40

Installation

  • Cutting: Diamond blade or grinder
  • Bends: Factory pre-fabricated only (do NOT field-bend — damages the polymer structure)
  • Fixing: Plastic ties or special clips (no metal wire)
  • Storage: No special precautions — does not rust outdoors

Gallery

Contact

Isothermal Innovations INC.
Exclusive FiberoX representative for Panama and Latin America
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +507 6410-4364
Web: isothermal.eco

en_GBEN