Performance, Application Scenarios and Selection of External Panel Materials for Outdoor Mobile Shelters

With the advantages of high mobility and rapid deployment, outdoor mobile shelters have been widely used in fields such as emergency rescue, medical support, field operations, and camping accommodations. As the "first line of defense" of the shelter, the external panel directly determines its weather resistance, durability, safety, and comprehensive cost.

The mainstream external panel materials for shelters on the market include Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic (FRP), color-coated steel sheets, aluminum sheets, stainless steel sheets, and Carbon Fiber Reinforced Composite (CFRC). These materials differ significantly in material properties, performance parameters, and applicable scenarios. This article will analyze the core differences between various materials from a technical perspective, provide material selection suggestions combined with practical application cases, and assist industry practitioners and purchasers in making accurate decisions.

Color-Coated Steel Sheets (Colored Coated Steel Plates)

Core Characteristics: Taking cold-rolled steel sheets or galvanized steel sheets as the base material, the surface is sprayed with colored coatings (such as polyester, fluorocarbon, etc.), and is often made into composite sandwich panels (with polyurethane, rock wool, etc. as the core material).

· Advantages: Low cost (about 1/3 of aluminum sheets), excellent thermal insulation performance (the thermal conductivity coefficient of the sandwich structure is as low as 0.024W/(m·K)), integrated paint finish for long service life, convenient installation, and rich color options.

· Disadvantages: Average weather resistance, weak impact resistance.

· Key Differences: No prominent single feature, but the highest cost-effectiveness, suitable for most application scenarios.

· Typical Application Scenarios:

· Communication base stations, environmental monitoring stations, general shelters, temporary emergency shelters (temporary resettlement shelters for earthquake and flood rescue): Rapid deployment and low-cost mass production.

· Camping accommodation shelters: Good thermal insulation effect to meet living comfort and control operating costs.

· Temporary on-site office shelters: Meet short-term usage needs and reduce project investment.

Aluminum Sheets (Aluminum Alloy Sheets, Common Models: 5052/6061)

Core Characteristics: Taking aluminum alloy as the base material, processed through rolling, anodization or spraying, featuring light weight and balanced strength.

· Advantages: Lightweight (density 2.7g/cm³, only 1/3 of steel), rust resistance (oxide layer forms a protective film), easy processing (good bendability and weldability), and high recycling rate (up to 95%).

· Disadvantages: Relatively high cost, weak resistance to hard object impact (easy to dent), and strength degradation in high-temperature environments (>120℃).

· Key Differences: Balances lightweight and durability, making it the preferred choice for mobile shelters; compared with stainless steel sheets, it is lighter, suitable for scenarios with high mobility requirements.

· Typical Application Scenarios:

· Mobile medical shelters (nucleic acid testing shelters, emergency transfer shelters): Lightweight for vehicle transportation, easy surface disinfection, and no rust risk.

· Field exploration shelters (mobile laboratories for geological and oil exploration): Reduce transportation load and adapt to handling in complex road conditions.

Stainless Steel Sheets (Common Models: 304/316L)

Core Characteristics: Taking iron-chromium alloy as the base material with a chromium content of ≥10.5%, featuring strong corrosion resistance and hygiene.

· Advantages: Excellent weather resistance (stable in -40℃~80℃ environment), rust resistance (316L model can resist seawater corrosion), high strength (tensile strength ≥520MPa), and hygienic non-toxicity (meets food/medical grade standards).

· Disadvantages: Heavy weight (density 7.93g/cm³), high cost (304 model is about 4 times the cost of color-coated steel sheets), and high processing difficulty.

· Key Differences: Optimal hygiene and weather resistance, suitable for scenarios with extremely high requirements for cleanliness and safety; compared with aluminum sheets, it has higher strength but heavier weight.

· Typical Application Scenarios:

· Medical shelters (operating rooms, isolation cabins): No risk of bacterial growth, resistant to high-frequency disinfection (alcohol, chlorine-containing disinfectants).

· Explosion-proof shelters (gas stations, nuclear power plants, etc.).

· Food testing shelters (field food safety monitoring stations): Meet food-grade hygiene standards and resist pollution.

· Island/coastal operation shelters: 316L model can resist seawater and salt spray corrosion, with no rust during long-term use.

Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic (FRP)

Core Characteristics: Taking glass fiber as the reinforcing material and resin as the matrix, formed through compression molding process.

· Advantages: Lightweight and high strength (density 2.0-2.2g/cm³, specific strength close to steel), good surface sand resistance, strong corrosion resistance (resistant to acid, alkali, salt spray, and humidity), flexible molding (customizable complex curved surfaces), good insulation performance, and medium cost.

· Disadvantages: Easy to age in long-term high-temperature environments (>80℃), and difficult to recycle.

· Key Differences: Compared with metal panels, FRP has no electrochemical corrosion problem, suitable for extreme corrosion environments; compared with color-coated steel sheets, it has higher structural strength, no need for additional support frames, and good sand resistance, making it suitable for desert areas.

· Typical Application Scenarios:

· Marine operation shelters (offshore platform living cabins, fishery breeding shelters): Resist salt spray corrosion and can be immersed in high-humidity environments for a long time.

· Chemical emergency shelters: Resist acid and alkali waste liquid erosion and ensure equipment safety.

· Case: Our company customized an FRP shelter for a coastal oil exploration team. After 5 years of continuous use in an environment with a salt spray concentration of 0.05mg/cm², the surface showed no rust or cracking, and still maintained more than 85% of its structural strength.

Carbon Fiber Reinforced Composite (CFRC)

Core Characteristics: Taking carbon fiber as the reinforcing material and resin as the matrix, formed through compression molding or prepreg process, belonging to high-end composite materials.

· Advantages: Extremely lightweight (density 1.5-1.8g/cm³, 1/5 of steel), extremely high strength (tensile strength ≥3500MPa), excellent weather resistance (stable in -50℃~150℃ environment), good shock absorption, and strong appearance texture.

· Disadvantages: High cost (about 8-10 times the cost of FRP), high maintenance difficulty (professional repair required after damage), and high brittleness (weaker impact resistance than metal).

· Key Differences: Represents the top-tier performance, suitable for high-end scenarios with extreme requirements for weight, strength, and appearance; compared with other materials, cost is the biggest barrier.

· Typical Application Scenarios:

· Military shelters (radar shelters, command shelters): Lightweight enhances mobility, and high strength resists harsh battlefield environments.

· High-end accommodation shelters (luxury camping cabins, custom private mobile villas): Balance appearance and performance to create a high-end experience.

· Scientific research shelters (polar scientific research shelters, aerospace ground support shelters): Adapt to extreme temperature differences and reduce transportation load.

Material Selection Guide: 3-Step Process to Select Suitable Panels

· Clarify Core Requirements: Prioritize key indicators first — whether it is "cost priority" (choose color-coated steel sheets), "lightweight priority" (choose aluminum sheets/carbon fiber), "corrosion resistance priority" (choose FRP/stainless steel sheets), or "strength priority" (choose stainless steel sheets);

· Match Usage Environment:

· Extreme corrosion (marine/chemical industry) → FRP/316L stainless steel;

· Low/high temperature (polar/desert areas) → carbon fiber/stainless steel;

· Humid and rainy conditions → aluminum sheets/FRP;

· Company Strength: Customized Design, Production, and Supply of Integrated Shelter Solutions

· Jinhua Zhongxing Communication Technology Co., Ltd. is a professional enterprise engaged in the R&D, development, production, and installation of outdoor equipment rooms/cabinets/shelters, emergency communication equipment, communication towers, and other outdoor supporting facilities for communication base stations, as well as for environmental monitoring, smart transportation, data applications, power energy storage, and climate monitoring stations.

www.jhzxctech.com
Wenzhou FunFort Bear Amusement Equipment Co., Ltd.

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