Fibers for concrete: glass fibers, polypropylene and steel
Although concrete is a material that enjoys exceptional performance, both mechanical and chemical, it is most advisable to reinforce it to further improve these capabilities.
In this sense, concrete fibers make up the perfect complement to achieve this goal. They provide an extra tensile strength to the support. In this way, the possibilities of cracking are reduced, the effects of shrinkage due to setting are decreased and the resistance to impact and fatigue are exponentially increased.
The fibers for concrete have been designed to replace the use of mesh, thus changing traditional application systems for more modern and faster to execute ones.
Types of fibers for concrete and their differences
The most widespread concrete fibers currently are glass fibers, polypropylene fibers, and steel fibers. At Topciment® we have all three types so that the choice falls on the professional according to their tastes and preferences. In the case of imprinted concrete, the most used fibers are polypropylene.
Broadly speaking, the most relevant differences have to do with workability, cracking and abrasion, corrosion and exposed tips.
Workability
While glass fibers require the addition of extra additives that favor and facilitate their mixture with concrete, polypropylene fibers and glass fibers are simpler and more comfortable as they do not require such additives.
Abrasion and cracking
The fibers for concrete, regardless of the material they are made of, contribute to improving the mechanical resistances of the structural elements. That is, their purpose is to reduce possible cracks and fissures. However, steel fibers and glass fibers are more resistant to abrasion.
Corrosion
In this regard, polypropylene fibers stand out the most because they provide greater resistance to corrosion. The difference is very noticeable, as for example steel fibers are more prone to suffer from corrosion.
Exposed tips
When the fibers are mixed with the concrete, there is a risk that the tips of the filaments may be exposed on the surface. Hence lies the importance of choosing appropriately. Polypropylene fibers and glass fibers are the most reliable in this sense, because it does not happen. On the other hand, steel fibers can leave some tips exposed.
