WHAT ARE REINFORCING FIBERS?

Reinforcing fibers are made of a thermoplastic material (polypropylene) and are used to increase the structural strength of concrete in highly demanding applications. With this new production line, Sika is continuing to expand its range of concrete additives and positioning itself as an innovative single-source supplier to the construction industry.

What are the different types of reinforcing fibers?

There are different fibers for different concretes depending on the required performance. The two main types of fibers are micro and macro fibers, defined by their diameter according to European Standards. Micro synthetic fibers are generally used for reducing spalling in high temperatures and crack reduction. Thicker macro synthetic or steel fibers are generally used to increase the mechanical performances of hardened concrete. Sika is a full range supplier of fibers, and other special types and blends of fibers.

SikaFiber TECHNOLOGY
SikaFiber TECHNOLOGY
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Concrete Reinforcing Fibers Product Categories

micro-synthetic fibers

Micro-Synthetic Fibres

Synthetic micro-fibers have an even lower E-modulus (3–5 GPa) than synthetic macro-fibers. They are mainly used to reduce early-age shrinkage cracking and also to reduce concrete spalling at high temperatures due to their low melting point (160 °C). Again these synthetic micro-fibers are non-corrosive.
Macro-Synthetic Fibers

Macro-Synthetic Fibres

Synthetic macro-fibers have a lower E-modulus than steel fibers (5–15 GPa). Unlike steel fibers, synthetic macro-fibers cannot take extremely high loads, but they work extremely effectively in the early phases of hardening to prevent and/or reduce the size of cracks developing in the concrete. They are corrosion resistant and give the concrete greater ductility. Synthetic fibers have more fibers per kg to balance the high e-modulus of steel fibers.
Sika steel fibers for fiber reinforced concrete

Steel Fibres

Steel fibers are characterized by high E-modulus (200 GPa) and high tensile strength (2500 MPa). They prevent creep of the concrete but do not counter-act early shrinkage.
Synthetic macro fibers used for concrete production to prevent cracks development

Blended Fibres

Micro fibers excel at controlling cracks in the early stage, while Macro (synthetic or steel) fibers provide outstanding crack control in increased load-bearing situations. With blended fibers, you receive both advantages in one amazing package.