Glass Fibre Reinforced Concrete & Stone (GFRC)
In this form, both fibers and matrix retain their physical and chemical identities, while offering a synergism: a combination of properties that cannot be achieved with either of the components acting alone. In general, fibers are the principal load-carrying members, while the surrounding matrix keeps them in the desired locations and orientation, acting as a load transfer medium between them, and protects them from environmental damage.
Fibers provide reinforcement for the matrix and other useful functions in fiber-reinforced composite materials. Glass fibers can be incorporated into a matrix either in continuous lengths or in discontinuous (chopped) lengths.
The need for speed in GFRC can be achieved by CSA Cement Binders, a fast-setting, high-early-strength binder option. Concrete made with CSA often achieves high early age compressive strength – with CSA it’s possible to achieve 28-day strength in 24 hours. Using CSA, production turnaround can be increased turnaround significantly.
From an environmental standpoint, CSA is far greener than portland cements. Also, unlike portland cements, CSA cements do not produce calcium hydroxide, and that reduces problems like cracking, curling and efflorescence.
CSA requires a complicated mix design – definitely not for the novice – however, Bisley has the range of materials one needs to succeed.
Together with Anhydrite and locally available Portland Cement, CSA Cement Binders and expansive agents can be used to increase the speed of the set time and the density of the concrete by introducing an Ettringite based system that makes the concrete less permeable and increases its strength while also making the concrete have a much higher thermal resistance.
CSA concrete offers excellent flexural and tensile strength, hardness and density. Because of this, countertops incorporating CSA aren’t as prone to cracking or curling, which can be an issue with countertops made with OPC.
As concrete continues to grow in popularity, quicker, more efficient turnaround will become necessary to supply demand, but product quality has to be maintained. CSA cements and CSA blends will satisfy both.
Bisley offers dispersants / water reducers, white cements, fillers, flocculants, corrosion inhibitors, de-foamers, and retarders for GFRC systems.
Products such as Lignosulfonate, Poly Naphthalene Sulfonate, Melamine Formaldehyde Condensate and Polycarboxylates can be used as dispersants / water reducers.
Silica Fume is a well-known pozzolan that will add to the higher strengths while improving pumpability and reducing the porosity of the concrete. We have a white grade and grey for colour sensitive formulations.
Microspheres allow for introduction of lightweight additives while not sacrificing strength.
Accelerators such as Lithium for Alumina based systems and Calcium Nitrate for Portland cements are available.