Fibre fiber is a special substance used in the concreting process. This concrete additive is widely used in the construction industry: the production of dry building mixtures, concrete, plasters and other building materials to improve their characteristics and productivity. This is a component of the building mixture, designed to improve the technical characteristics of concrete, increase its strength, reduce wear resistance, and increase resistance to repeated freezing and thawing, including in the early stages of hardening. The presence of fiber fiber in the concrete mixture protects the finished material from moisture and chemicals. Concrete produced using fiber fibers is characterized by less dust formation, less tendency to crack and reduced shrinkage.

Based on research, when this type of fiber is introduced into a mixture of fine-grained concrete in quantities of 1% and 2% by weight, water separation is reduced, and resistance to cracking and impact increases.

PUSTOVGAR, Andrey Petrovich; ABRAMOVA, Anastasia Yurievna. DISPERSE REINFORCEMENT OF CONCRETE AND CONSTRUCTION SOLUTIONS. New technologies in construction, 2023, 9.3: 126-140.

 

Benefits of using fiber fiber:

Fibre fiber is a part of the concrete solution that performs the functions of reinforcement. The main types of fiber include basalt, polypropylene, steel, glass and polymer. There are several reasons for using fiberglass instead of reinforcing mesh and other materials:

1. Unlike mesh, which reinforces only a limited part of the concrete structure, polypropylene fibers are evenly distributed throughout the building mixture.
2. Fiber fiber prevents the appearance of cracks in concrete throughout its entire thickness during primary and secondary shrinkage.
3. The use of fiber reduces the loss of water from the building mixture, which effectively regulates the hydration process and reduces internal loads.
4. Concrete containing fiber fiber has better adhesion to various surfaces compared to traditional concrete without the use of such additives.
5. Fiber fiber increases the flexibility of concrete, giving it additional strength, resistance to impact and protection from mechanical damage. Polypropylene fibers, visible when the solution is mixed, become invisible after it dries.
6. The resistance of concrete to fire increases.
7. This material prevents the formation of microcracks, which often occur when using reinforcing mesh in concrete structures.
8. The fibers are coated with a special substance that lubricates their surface and relieves static stress.

However, it is important to note that fiberglass cannot completely replace the required reinforcement in some concrete structures. While affecting the strength and durability of the finished material, it does not affect the flexural strength of concrete.

The value of fibers lies in the fact that they not only impart new properties to concrete, but also provide a fundamentally new technology for the manufacture of building structures. Due to a significant increase in physical and mechanical properties, the material consumption of structural elements is reduced, which leads to a decrease in the weight of buildings and structures.

Klyuev, S. V. (2015). Fiber-reinforced concrete and products based on it. International Journal of Scientific Research, (3-1 (34)), 70-73.

Where are fiber fibers used

Fibre fibers are used in various areas of the construction industry and are widely used in the following areas:

• Coatings for highways.
• Water facilities.
• Premises for storing goods.
• Facilities related to the petrochemical industry.
• Bridges and structures made of reinforced concrete.
• Tiles for sidewalks.
• Production of dry mixes for construction.
• Devices of screeds and underfloor heating systems.
• Concrete with a cellular structure.
• Coatings for industrial floors.
• Decorative effect concrete, plaster and other building mortars.
• Materials for restoration of concrete surfaces and other similar works.

11 practical tips for using fiberglass

1. The choice of fiberglass depends on the purpose of the concrete mixture. The material itself comes in a variety of sizes, including lengths from three to forty millimeters and diameters up to 30 microns. For example, when making foam concrete, it is preferable to use fibers 40 mm long to create heavy, moving concrete – fibers from 11 to 20 mm, and for less mobile mixtures – 6-7 mm long. At home, experts recommend using fibers up to 7 mm long.
2. To increase the strength of the concrete mass, it is recommended to include in the mixture not only polypropylene fibers, but also metal fibers.
3. When preparing a solution in a concrete mixer, it is recommended to introduce fiber at the final stage. The mixture should be stirred for 8-15 minutes to ensure uniform distribution throughout the entire volume of the solution. If fiber is used to prepare a dry mixture, it is added to the dry ingredients and thoroughly mixed.
4. To achieve the best mixing, it is recommended to add fiber to the mixture in small portions.
5. The approximate ratio between the solution and fiberglass is up to 1 kg of fiberglass for every cubic meter of solution. Typically a range of 0.6 to 0.9 kg of fibers per cubic meter is used. In addition, plasticizers and other concrete additives can be added to the solution.
6. The fiber mixture can be mixed using a concrete mixer, as well as using a drill with an appropriate attachment or a pneumatic mixer
7. After preparing the solution, it is recommended to use it immediately, since the addition of polypropylene fibers reduces the mobility of the building mass.
8. It is recommended to apply the screed to the floor in a thin layer with a thickness not exceeding 3-5 mm. The use of a thick layer of screed may cause cracks or shrinkage deformations.
9. Avoid drafts entering the finished fiber screed. If there are drafts in the room, it is recommended to cover the screed with plastic film. You should also prevent the screed from overdrying when working in hot weather by regularly moistening the concrete surface using a spray bottle.
10. Adhere to recommended drying times before additional work such as flooring.
11. The process of final hardening of the solution is completed within 2-3 weeks. Some experts express the opinion that you can start walking on such a concrete floor after 12 hours, and laying the floor covering — in 5 days.

Recommended products

Armotec Fibre	Fibermix Microfiber