Plastic structures of the future (past?)

[Kuu]

Anyone have any knowledge or experience of plastic-based composites, particularly for use in the building industry? I've been reading a lot about pultruded GFRP (glass fiber reinforced plastic/polymer) profiles and it seems quite an interesting technology: high strength-to-weight ratio, no corrosion, low thermal and electrical conductivity, easy to handle and cut, waterproof, recyclable even... but somehow I find it very hard to find any interesting examples of its usage. It seems to either be used in highly specialised industrial environments for its chemical resistance properties, or in rather pathetic fake-old detailing like decorative columns and cornices.

However I have vague recollections of experimental projects in the 60s or 70s built entirely out of plastics and I was wondering how much things have evolved and simultaneously stayed the same. Of course composites have been used in lots of engineering work in aerospace, cars, boats... so.. Why has this technology not become more widespread in construction? Is the cost prohibitive? Is it just too new? Are people's heads in the construction industry simply stuck in the past?

 

[Cognisant]

UV degradation perhaps?

I've never known plastic to age well.

 

[Duxwing]

UV degradation perhaps?

I've never known plastic to age well.

And the smell of hot plastic in the summer. Eugh.

-Duxwing

 

[Kuu]

UV degradation perhaps?

I've never known plastic to age well.

UV degradation can be minimised with additives and coatings. "Age well" is pretty relative and varies wildly among different polymers. Ultimately weathering affects all materials, and most require some sort of protection against water and/or sun, and all expected to require maintenance and replacement at the end of their estimated useful life. It's not enough of an argument to deter from the use of plastic structures, indeed many old plastic structures remain in almost flawless condition after many decades, where steel is found severely corroded.

I was thinking that the oil shock of the 70s and subsequent increase of the price of petrochemicals would be the main culprit in the death of the momentum of the plastic fantastic future. Still, that was over 40 years ago...