Concrete Products examines polypropylene, nylon, acrylic and other synthetic products for secondary concrete reinforcement, plus steel fibers, which continue to show potential for replacing conventional rebar or mesh. Most of the products and technologies here will be exhibited at 2018 World of Concrete.
BASF ADMIXTURE SYSTEMS
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| An alternative to concrete-grade rope or tape-type synthetics, MasterFiber MAC 360 FF is engineered to replace welded-wire reinforcement and small diameter steel bar. |
MasterFiber series includes six macrofiber (MAC designation) and five microfiber (F, fibrillated; M, monofilament) offerings. The newest is MAC 360 FF, manufactured from a proprietary blend of polypropylene resins and equal to ASTM C1116/C1116M Standard Specification for Fiber-Reinforced Concrete guidelines. The synthetic hybrid fiber was developed to meet contractor, producer and engineer performance targets; strengthen plastic concrete to minimize shrinkage and settlement cracking; and, augment hardened slabs and structures’ post-crack flexural toughness.
MAC 360 FF serves as a noncorrosive, three-dimensional, secondary reinforcement alternative to conventional welded-wire reinforcement, small diameter bars and steel fibers. Along with providing effective crack and plastic shrinkage control and reducing settlement cracking, the new fiber effectively increases the post-crack residual strength of concrete, plus impact and shatter resistance. The fiber suits hand-troweled concrete; industrial, warehouse, commercial and residential slabs on grade; pavements, white-topping and overlays; composite metal decks; and, architectural panels.
Rounding out the MasterFiber macrosynthetic offerings are MAC Matrix, engineered for secondary reinforcement to control shrinkage, temperature and settlement cracking; MAC 100 for secondary reinforcement and plastic shrinkage control; MAC 100 Plus for secondary reinforcement against cracking; MAC 2200 CB, chemically-enhanced to impart superior bonding and increase structural capacity and toughness; and, 160CB with chemical bonding capability for shotcrete, precast tunnel segments and concrete pipe.
MasterFiber microfibers are F 70, a fibrillated product for shrinkage and temperature reinforcement; F 100, an enhanced fibrillated polypropylene product geared for shrinkage and temperature reinforcement; M 100, a high-tensile strength, high modulus of elasticity, ultra-thin monofilament homopolymer polypropylene product; plus, M 35 and M 70, monofilament polypropylene fibers engineered to reduce plastic shrinkage cracking. — BASF Construction Chemicals/Admixture Systems, 800/628-9990; www.master-builders-solutions.basf.us
World of Concrete Booth S10304
ABC POLYMER
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| FiberForce 150 microsynthetic |
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| Pro-Plus Blend combines FiberForce 150 and Performance Plus DOT fibers. |
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| Steel Pro T5 |
Company has full line of FiberForce micro and macro synthetic products— monofilament or fibrillated—plus synthetic fiber blends and steel fibers for concrete reinforcement. Monofilament microsynthetic fibers are Ny-Pro and Ny-Tuf fine and standard denier monofilament nylon; and, FiberForce 100 and 150 ultra-thin and standard monofilament polypropylene. Fibrillated microsynthetic fibers are FiberForce 300 (standard grade) and 500 (high fiber count).
FiberForce macrosynthetic fibers are the flagship Macro Pro, a highly modified fibrillated polyolefin resin blended product; Performance Plus DOT, approved by state departments of transportation; 650, an embossed tape product for cast-in-place applications; and, 1000 HP, whose unique profile maximizes mechanical bonding.
Company also offers macrosynthetic and microsynthetic fiber blends that provide both post-first crack reinforcement and plastic shrinkage crack and drying shrinkage crack reinforcement. Typical blends are 4:1 macro and micro fibers, often dosed at 5 lbs./yd. Leading the macro-micro blends is FiberForce 950. In addition to polypropylene, polyolefin and nylon fibers, ABC offers two grades of FiberForce steel products: T1 and T5 cold drawn steel wire and cold drawn shave. — ABC Polymer Industries, LLC, Helena Ala., 205/620-9889; www.abcpolymerindustries.com
EUCLID CHEMICAL
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| Tuf-Strand SF |
Company supports the Tuf-Strand SF macrofiber, PSI Fiberstrand microfiber and PSI Steel fiber portfolios with research and development; training programs; mix and dosage validation; plus, design and installation consultation for contractors, architects, engineers and building owners.
Tuf-Strand Fibers can be used as an equivalent reinforcing option to steel fibers, wire mesh and light gage reinforcing bars in precast concrete, slabs on grade, composite steel decks and shotcrete. Appropriate dosages are calculated by determining the existing design’s engineering requirements and providing an equivalent residual strength. Tuf-Strand SF is UL certified for composite steel deck construction and specified for replacement of limited structural steel in precast, slabs on ground, pavements and shotcrete.
Available in various sizes and lengths of monofilament and fibrillated polypropylene, monofilament polyester and nylon, PSI Fiberstrand is used for plastic shrinkage crack control and suited to secondary reinforcing for slabs and precast. — Euclid Chemical Co., Cleveland, 800/321-7628, 216/531-9222; www.euclidchemical.com
World of Concrete Booth S10338
FABPRO
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| High modulus and tensile strength equip the Plexus Synthetic Fiber for shotcrete. |
A division of Great Lakes Polymer Technologies, Fabpro cites 30-plus years as a full-line source of macrosynthetic, microsynthetic (monofilament and fibrillated) and steel fibers, plus blends, to make good concrete better at a lower overall cost. — Fabpro Polymers, Kingman, Kan., 800/821-4391; www.FabproPolymers.com
World of Concrete Booth #S11550
FIBERMESH
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| Enduro Mirage |
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| Enduro Prime |
Company engineers concrete reinforcing fibers to maximize ease of use, expedite mix placement and impart high performance characteristics in finished slabs or structures. The newest additions to a full line of synthetic fibers for cast-in-place and precast concrete include Enduro Prime and Enduro Mirage. Fabricated in 1.97-, 2.17- or 2.36-in. lengths and 0.022-in. equivalent diameter, the former is the latest high performance macro-synthetic fiber developed from the Fibermesh-pioneered HPP technology. Enduro Mirage, 2.1-in. long with 0.031-in. equivalent diameter, has been specifically designed to reinforce a concrete slab on grade with strong finishing characteristics. Both fibers are geometrically engineered to resist matrix pullout; increase flexural toughness, cohesion plus impact and shatter resistance; help reduce wear on concrete pumps and hoses; and, offer an economical alternative to steel wire mesh and/or steel fibers. — Propex Operating Co., Chattanooga, Tenn., 800/214-2737; www.fibermesh.com
World of Concrete Booth 12139
Forta
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| Forta-Ferro |
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| Econo-Mono |
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| Super-Net |
Concrete-grade synthetic fibers are produced from 100 percent virgin materials, color blended, non-magnetic and alkali resistant. Ferro, the most popular offering, is a macro synthetic fiber used to reduce plastic and hardened concrete shrinkage, improve impact strength, increase fatigue resistance and toughness. Its twisted bundle technology combines standard fibrillated polypropylene fiber and heavy-duty monofilament with a strong synthetic copolymer. Ferro is pre-blended and typically used in 1.5- to 2.25-in. lengths and 3-, 5- or 7.5-lb./yd. dosages to yield a higher reinforcing steel replacement level than standard synthetic fibers.
Econo-Mono is a homopolymer polypropylene micro monofilament fibrous reinforcement offering long-term durability for a variety of applications. Used in conjunction with steel, it is intended to reduce the formation of shrinkage cracks prior to initial set and reduce settlement shrinkage. Econo-Mono is typically used in 0.5- to 0.75-in. lengths and low (1 lb./yd.) dosages.
Super-Net is a homopolymer polypropylene micro fibrillated fibrous reinforcement in a collated fibrillated (network) form. Its “super-networking” and web-like characteristics are used to reduce plastic or hardened concrete shrinkage and settlement cracking, while improving impact strength, fatigue resistance and concrete toughness. Super-Net is typically used in 0.75- to 1.5-in. lengths and 1.5- to 3-lb./yd. dosages. — Forta Corp., Grove City, Pa., 800/245-0306, 724/458-5221; www.gcpat.com
World of Concrete Booth N2313
GCP APPLIED TECHNOLOGIES
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| Sinta F |
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| Strux macrofiber |
Strux is the newest addition to a full synthetic fiber offering, recently rebranded Sinta. A synthetic structural macrofiber providing high-strength reinforcement for resisting and controlling temperature and shrinkage cracking in concrete, it can substantially speed up construction time by eliminating the need to install welded wire fabric (WWF) or light rebar at the worksite. Compared to WWF, GCP engineers contend, applications using Strux fibers can be completed faster and exhibit long-term durability at lower installed costs—with estimated savings of 20 to 30 percent. Applications include floors, elevated composite metal decks, soil-supported slabs, pavements, tunnel liners and thin-walled precast.
Sinta succeeds Grace Fibers, Grace Microfibers and Gilco Fiber brands, and spans Sinta F (fibrillated), Sinta M (monofilament) and Sinta FDS (fluid delivery system) synthetic microfibers for concrete. The microfibers suit applications where designers, contractors or producers aim to minimize cracking due to the rapid surface drying of plastic concrete. The use of Sinta microfibers in the mix protects concrete from stresses that cause cracking, thus improving overall quality and durability. The fibers perform in slabs on grade, pavements, overlays, sloped walls, pools, shotcrete, stucco, tunnels, precast, and precast/prestressed products. — GCP Applied Technologies, Cambridge, Mass., 617/876-1400; www.gcpat.com
Solomon Colors
Steel and microfiber blends provide a unique synergy, improving hardened concrete performance while reducing plastic shrinkage. Historically, steel fiber blends utilize synthetic microfibers to reduce plastic shrinkage cracking. The UltraFiber 302 combination effectively creates an alternative to welded wire fabric in several applications, and improves on conventional blends by replacing synthetic fibers with natural cellulose.
The UltraFiber 500 cellulose microfiber meets or exceeds polypropylene fiber performance characteristics, company engineers contend. When blended with steel fiber, the result is higher impact and abrasion resistance. In addition, the UltraFiber 302 reduces plastic and temperature shrinkage, and has no negative effect on color, finishing, or appearance of the concrete. The combination of steel and cellulose fibers is a natural form for improving early age and long-term performance. — Solomon Colors Inc., Springfield, Ill., 800/624-0261, 217/522-3112; www.solomoncolors.com
World of Concrete Booth O41054
ICF MERCANTILE
Company presents its acrylic AC 60 micro fiber as unique among commercially available synthetic concrete reinforcements, noting how the product a) is specifically engineered and creates an ionic bond between fiber and concrete matrix; exhibits very high tensile strength (800 MPa) that transfers efficiently to the concrete matrix; and, is flexible and can be used at very high loading rates, creating no defects or protrusion on the finished surfaces. Test results indicate that AC 60 can fully substitute for welded wire fabric (6X6XW1.4XW1.4), company engineers note, adding that the product is the only sythnethic microfiber on the market that meets both criteria for post crack integrity in the document, ICC ES AC 32 Acceptance Criteria for Concrete with Synthetic Fibers, Section 4.7. — ICF Mercantile LLC, Warren, N.J., 908/293-8280; www.icfmercantile.com