Polymer-cementitious material bonding yields new BASF macrofiber

Sources: BASF Admixture Systems, Cleveland; CP staff

Following up on two major 2014 product introductions—MasterLife CRA (Crack-Reducing Admixture) 007 at World of Concrete, MasterSphere FT (Freeze-Thaw) 300 at ConExpo-Con/Agg—BASF Admixture Systems returned to Las Vegas this year with another concrete breakthrough partly attributable to its parent company’s vast well of chemistry.

World of Concrete 2015 brought MasterFiber MAC 2200 CB, a first-of-its-kind macrosynthetic fiber that chemically and mechanically bonds to concrete, providing enhanced post-crack flexural performance when compared to conventional macrosynthetic fibers. Against the latter, the new product’s performance characteristics spell 25–30 percent lower dosage rates to achieve target shrinkage and temperature cracking control. Lower fiber volume equates to greater concrete workability and easier placement, improved dispersion and mix design optimization.

“Unlike a typical inert macrofiber, MasterFiber MAC 2200 CB creates a chemical bond with the concrete that allows the fiber to perform more effectively,” says Product Manager Kirk DeCapite. “Through polymer resin technology and a highly engineered fiber architecture, [it] bonds to the cementitious matrices within the concrete to provide enhanced residual strength.”

MasterFiber MAC 2200 CB was created to replace welded-wire reinforcement and No. 3 and No. 4 (10 mm and 13 mm) reinforcing bars typically used as temperature and shrinkage reinforcement. It suits cast-in-place structures, including slabs on grade, bridge decks and pavements, along with white topping and overlay applications, plus conventional or high slump precast concrete.

“More and more concrete professionals are using macrofibers in place of traditional secondary reinforcement due to their ability to provide consistent reinforcement throughout the concrete matrix,” DeCapite notes. “We were able to leverage BASF’s superior expertise in chemistry to create a truly unique and performance-enhancing macrofiber to make life easier for concrete producers and contractors.”

Another recent enhancement to the Admixture Systems macrofiber portfolio is an advanced packaging system that aligns the fibers to improve their dispersion in a concrete mixture compared to results from traditional loose fiber dosing. — www.master-builders-solutions.basf.us