Introduction
Ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) is renowned for its exceptional strength, crack resistance, and durability, widely used in bridges, tunnel linings, and industrial floors. Selecting the right synthetic fiber is critical to optimizing UHPC performance. Our UHPC-specific modified synthetic fiber (tensile strength >580 MPa, elastic modulus >10 GPa) leverages advanced modification techniques to enhance bonding, dispersibility, and strength, offering distinct advantages over traditional copper-coated fiber. This article details its performance, comparisons with copper-coated fiber, and applications, providing an ideal solution for high-performance concrete reinforcement.
1. Performance Advantages of UHPC-Specific Modified Synthetic FiberOur UHPC-specific modified synthetic fiber, based on polypropylene (PP), is tailored for high-performance concrete with the following benefits:
Enhanced Bonding: Advanced modifiers (e.g., surface chemical treatments) improve fiber-matrix bonding, increasing interfacial shear strength by 30%, reducing micro-cracks, and ensuring stability in UHPC components like bridge panels.
Superior Hydrophilicity: Post-modification, the fiber’s hydrophilicity enhances uniform dispersion in concrete, avoiding clumping. Tests show a 40% improvement in dispersion uniformity at a 1.2% dosage, ensuring crack-resistant fiber 3D reinforcement.
High Strength: With tensile strength >580 MPa, elastic modulus >10 GPa, and elongation at break <8%, it delivers exceptional toughness and crack resistance for UHPC applications like tunnel linings.
2. Comparison with Copper-Coated FiberCompared to copper-coated fiber, our UHPC-specific modified synthetic fiber excels in cost, durability, and equipment protection, though with some limitations: Advantages:
Lower Dosage, Cost Savings: UHPC fiber requires a lower dosage (1-1.5% by volume) than copper-coated fiber (2-3%), reducing usage by 30-50% and costs by 20-30%, ideal for large-scale projects like industrial floors.
Corrosion Resistance, No Rust: Polypropylene-based fibers resist acid and alkali corrosion, showing no degradation in 28-day salt spray tests, unlike copper-coated fibers, which may rust in humid environments (e.g., coastal bridges), affecting aesthetics and durability.
Equipment-Friendly: With a smooth surface (Mohs hardness <3), the fiber causes <0.5% mixer blade wear after 100 hours, compared to 5-8% for copper-coated fibers, extending equipment life by 20% and lowering maintenance costs.
Limitations:
Lower Tensile Strength: UHPC fiber (>580 MPa) is slightly less strong than copper-coated fiber (>800 MPa), underperforming in high-tension areas like bridge cantilevers.
Limited Compressive Strength: UHPC fiber offers less compressive enhancement than copper-coated fiber, making it unsuitable for bridge front-facing compressive zones (e.g., main beams), where steel reinforcement or fibers are recommended.
3. Experimental Results Validate PerformanceRigorous tests confirm the performance of UHPC-specific modified synthetic fiber:
Bonding Strength Test (ASTM C1583): At a 1.2% dosage in UHPC, the fiber increased interfacial bonding strength by 30% and reduced crack width by 50%, outperforming copper-coated fiber (20% improvement).
Dispersibility Test: Hydrophilic modification ensured uniform dispersion in high-viscosity UHPC, with <5% clumping after 30 minutes of mixing, compared to 15% for standard PP fibers.
Crack Resistance and Durability (EN 14651): UHPC components with 1.5% modified fiber improved crack resistance by 40% and showed <4% strength loss after 300 freeze-thaw cycles, ideal for UHPC bridges and tunnel linings.
Equipment Wear Test: After 100 hours of mixing, mixer blade wear was <0.5%, and pumping 1000 m³ of concrete showed no pipe scratches, confirming non-abrasive equipment benefits.
Case Study: A coastal UHPC bridge project using 1.2% modified fiber improved crack resistance by 35%, showed no rust, and reduced equipment maintenance costs by 15%, proving its superiority in high-performance concrete reinforcement.
4. Application Scenarios and Real-World CasesUHPC-specific modified synthetic fiber excels in high-performance concrete applications:
UHPC Bridges: In a UAE sea-crossing bridge, a 1.5% dosage increased tensile strength by 20%, enabling thinner panels and reducing self-weight by 15%.
Tunnel Linings: In Mumbai Metro Line 3, the fiber improved crack resistance by 30% and ensured a 100-year service life due to corrosion resistance.
Industrial Floors: In a Chinese logistics park, a 1% dosage met high-load demands, costing 25% less than copper-coated fiber.
Limitations: Due to lower compressive strength, avoid using solely in bridge front-facing compressive zones (e.g., main beams); combine with steel reinforcement or fibers.
5. Why Choose Our UHPC Fiber?
Superior Bonding and Dispersion: Modifiers and hydrophilicity improve bonding by 40% and ensure uniform dispersion for optimal UHPC performance.
Cost-Effective: Lower dosage reduces costs by 20-30% compared to copper-coated fiber.
Durability: Corrosion-free, rust-free, ideal for coastal and humid environments.
Equipment Protection: Non-abrasive to mixers and pumps, lowering maintenance costs.
Technical Support: Free samples (5kg minimum), mix design optimization, and construction guidance ensure effective high-performance concrete fiber use.