Macro Synthetic Fibres or MSF can be made from different kind of polymers. At Enviromesh we manufacture and supply macro synthetic fibres made from 100% recycled as well as virgin polypropylene. Macro synthetic fibres help control shrinkage cracking, which can occur in the very early stages of concrete life. Macro synthetic fibres are larger than the micro synthetic fibres and are better dispersed when mixed in pre-pour concrete and increase the mechanical bond. Since macro synthetic fibres are non-corrosive, they are better than steel bar and steel mesh, specially in marine and coastal environments.
Macro Synthetic Fibres have been around since the 1960s, with the first commercial use as MSFRC recorded in the 1990’s. Research into new fibres for concrete continues today as acceptance for macro synthetic fibres as a structural reinforcement grows globally. More recently, several leading institutions in Italy, Spain, Belgium and Switzerland have undertaken research in the use of macro synthetic fibres as concrete reinforcement.
Australia has been very accepting of using the macro synthetic fibres in reinforced shotcrete for ground stabilisation in mines, with a near 100% uptake. Their latest market report from September 2021 reports a 10% per year growth in macro synthetic fibres uptake globally over the last five years. It also acknowledges macro synthetic fibres as a sustainable construction material in comparison to steel with significant reductions in carbon footprint. This has contributed to the growing use of macro synthetic fibres worldwide, especially as there is a greater need to reduce the carbon footprint in the construction industry.
Macro Synthetic Fibres as a concrete reinforcement have many benefits. They are more sustainable, economic, faster, safer and easier to use than conventional steel mesh and offer crack control in both plastic and hardened states.
Steel is expensive and is increasingly becoming difficult to source with global shortages. Compared to steel fibres or steel mesh, macro synthetic fibres have a lower environmental footprint across all seven main indicators. The potential savings for acidification, ozone depletion, eutrophication, photochemical oxidation, abiotic depletion (elements) and abiotic depletion (fossil fuels) are even higher.
The fibres are simpler and faster to use without the need to cut steel mesh or manoeuvre mesh and bar chairs. They are easy to place and finish using a steel trowel, wood float or broom. Since macro synthetic fibres reinforced concrete offers safer and quicker working environments, it translates to projects being completed with fewer staff available on site. Not only that but it also reduces the injury risks for workers including trip hazards caused by using traditional steel mesh, thereby ensuring further staff availability is not impacted. These are considerable benefits which enable timely completion of projects.
Unlike steel bar or mesh, macro synthetic fibres reinforced concrete comes ready to place, pre-mixed in the concrete. It also means that inspection of the site is not required once the concrete has been placed at the project site. This reduces delays in project completion which means more cost savings. The fibres are pre-mixed in the concrete as an admixture reducing transportation, storage, and handling costs. The three-dimensional reinforcement throughout the concrete results in correct placement.
Macro Synthetic Fibres as a concrete reinforcement have many benefits. They are more sustainable, economic, faster, safer and easier to use than conventional steel mesh and offer crack control in both plastic and hardened states.
Steel is expensive and is increasingly becoming difficult to source with global shortages. Compared to steel fibres or steel mesh, macro synthetic fibres have a lower environmental footprint across all seven main indicators. The potential savings for acidification, ozone depletion, eutrophication, photochemical oxidation, abiotic depletion (elements) and abiotic depletion (fossil fuels) are even higher.
The fibres are simpler and faster to use without the need to cut steel mesh or manoeuvre mesh and bar chairs. They are easy to place and finish using a steel trowel, wood float or broom. Since macro synthetic fibres reinforced concrete offers safer and quicker working environments, it translates to projects being completed with fewer staff available on site. Not only that but it also reduces the injury risks for workers including trip hazards caused by using traditional steel mesh, thereby ensuring further staff availability is not impacted. These are considerable benefits which enable timely completion of projects.
Unlike steel bar or mesh, macro synthetic fibres reinforced concrete comes ready to place, pre-mixed in the concrete. It also means that inspection of the site is not required once the concrete has been placed at the project site. This reduces delays in project completion which means more cost savings. The fibres are pre-mixed in the concrete as an admixture reducing transportation, storage, and handling costs. The three-dimensional reinforcement throughout the concrete results in correct placement.
Synthetic fibres can be used in a wide range of applications from secondary shrinkage reinforcement to primary reinforcing in underground shotcrete. They offer both micro and macro crack control. Typically, macro synthetic fibres are used in:
Improve cohesion and reduce rebound during spraying, enhancing surface integrity.
Minimise shrinkage cracking and improve dimensional stability in precast elements.
Control plastic shrinkage and provide post-crack toughness for slab durability.
Prevent early-age cracking and enhance long-term crack resistance.
Increase tensile capacity and bond strength of topping layers.
Boost fatigue resistance and reduce crack propagation under traffic loads.
Offer added toughness and reduce maintenance needs due to cracking.
Maintain surface integrity and resist cracking during decorative finishing.
Enhance erosion resistance and reduce cracking caused by water flow stress.
Control shrinkage cracks and improve surface durability in thin sections.
Improve load distribution and crack resistance in high-traffic areas.
Enhance flexibility and toughness, extending service life under variable loads.
Synthetic fibres can be used in a wide range of applications from secondary shrinkage reinforcement to primary reinforcing in underground shotcrete. They offer both micro and macro crack control. Typically, macro synthetic fibres are used in:
Improve cohesion and reduce rebound during spraying, enhancing surface integrity.
Minimise shrinkage cracking and improve dimensional stability in precast elements.
Control plastic shrinkage and provide post-crack toughness for slab durability.
Prevent early-age cracking and enhance long-term crack resistance.
Increase tensile capacity and bond strength of topping layers.
Boost fatigue resistance and reduce crack propagation under traffic loads.
Offer added toughness and reduce maintenance needs due to cracking.
Maintain surface integrity and resist cracking during decorative finishing.
Enhance erosion resistance and reduce cracking caused by water flow stress.
Control shrinkage cracks and improve surface durability in thin sections.
Improve load distribution and crack resistance in high-traffic areas.
Enhance flexibility and toughness, extending service life under variable loads.
Enviromesh macro synthetic fibres have been embraced and widely used in pavements, precast, shotcrete and various other applications, as the end users recognise the benefits of replacing reinforcing bar and mesh with synthetic fibre. Structural synthetic fibre is superior to more conventional reinforcement in shotcrete as it can outperform, give greater cost savings, is easier to use and safer to handle. Enviromesh has uniquely packaged the fibres in simple and easy to handle boxes of water-soluble pucks. The fibres are placed in the concrete mix. The pucks then dissolve within seconds, leaving the fibres to disperse evenly throughout the matrix.
eMesh is a 100% recycled macro synthetic fibre so in addition to the benefits of macro synthetic fibres reinforced concrete, eMesh promotes sustainability while delivering environmental and social benefits without adding cost to the construction and infrastructure projects.
eMesh is a 100% recycled macro synthetic fibre so in addition to the benefits of macro synthetic fibres reinforced concrete, eMesh promotes sustainability while delivering environmental and social benefits without adding cost to the construction and infrastructure projects.
These fibres show very defined ductile behaviour characteristics. Performance levels are excellent in general shotcrete, pre-cast products and highly corrosive environments.
These fibres show very defined ductile behaviour characteristics. Performance levels are excellent in general shotcrete, pre-cast products and highly corrosive environments.
Enviromesh MPP has been designed to provide both plastic shrinkage control in early age concrete and micro crack control in hardened concrete. Combination of MP47 and micro fibres offer both micro and macro crack control.
Enviromesh MPP has been designed to provide both plastic shrinkage control in early age concrete and micro crack control in hardened concrete. Combination of MP47 and micro fibres offer both micro and macro crack control.
Micro synthetic fibres come in 300 gms bags. The fibres are used for the reduction of plastic shrinkage cracks, to improve impact, shatter and abrasion resistance, to increase fatigue resistance, to increase toughness and provide long term fire durability of concrete and cement-based building products.
Micro synthetic fibres come in 300 gms bags. The fibres are used for the reduction of plastic shrinkage cracks, to improve impact, shatter and abrasion resistance, to increase fatigue resistance, to increase toughness and provide long term fire durability of concrete and cement-based building products.
These fibres show very defined ductile behaviour characteristics. Performance levels are excellent in shotcrete, pre-cast products and highly corrosive environments.
These fibres show very defined ductile behaviour characteristics. Performance levels are excellent in shotcrete, pre-cast products and highly corrosive environments.
Steel fibres strengthen concrete by resisting tensile cracking. Fibre reinforced concrete has a higher flexural strength than that of unreinforced concrete and concrete reinforced with welded wire fabric. But unlike conventional reinforcement – which strengthens in one or possibly two directions – steel fibres reinforce isotropically, greatly improving the concrete’s resistance to cracking, fragmentation, spalling and fatigue.
The specific effects on matrix mechanical properties greatly depend on the type and quantity of fibre used. Generally speaking, smaller fibres with a high fibre count offer superior first-crack strength and better fatigue endurance. Should a crack open widely, longer fibres with mechanical anchorage mechanisms offer better post-crack performance.
Steel fibre reinforced concrete is a castable or sprayable composite material of hydraulic cements, fine and/or coarse aggregates with discrete steel fibres of rectangular cross-section randomly dispersed throughout the matrix.
Steel fibre reinforced concrete acts as a uniform composite material. Compared to plain or conventionally reinforced concrete, the most immediate differences are improved ductility and post-crack performance.
Fibercon has a range of steel fibres available in lengths from 38 mm to 50 mm and aspect ratios between 40 and 60. The fibres are manufactured either deformed or hook end and conform to ASTM A-820.
Steel fibres strengthen concrete by resisting tensile cracking. Fibre reinforced concrete has a higher flexural strength than that of unreinforced concrete and concrete reinforced with welded wire fabric. But unlike conventional reinforcement – which strengthens in one or possibly two directions – steel fibres reinforce isotropically, greatly improving the concrete’s resistance to cracking, fragmentation, spalling and fatigue.
The specific effects on matrix mechanical properties greatly depend on the type and quantity of fibre used. Generally speaking, smaller fibres with a high fibre count offer superior first-crack strength and better fatigue endurance. Should a crack open widely, longer fibres with mechanical anchorage mechanisms offer better post-crack performance.
Steel fibre reinforced concrete is a castable or sprayable composite material of hydraulic cements, fine and/or coarse aggregates with discrete steel fibres of rectangular cross-section randomly dispersed throughout the matrix.
Steel fibre reinforced concrete acts as a uniform composite material. Compared to plain or conventionally reinforced concrete, the most immediate differences are improved ductility and post-crack performance.
Fibercon has a range of steel fibres available in lengths from 38 mm to 50 mm and aspect ratios between 40 and 60. The fibres are manufactured either deformed or hook end and conform to ASTM A-820.
Enviromesh eMesh fibres recently featured in Australian Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment’s series of videos published to promote use of recycled content in construction and infrastructure projects.
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