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A web site is totally dedicated to FIBRAFLEX® : don't hesitate to browse ! |
What is FIBRAFLEX® ? |
FIBRAFLEX is an amorphous metallic fibre which comes in the form of a metal strip 5 to 30 mm long, 1 to 1.6 mm wide and a few microns thick. Stemming from an advanced technology developed by the Research Centres of Saint-Gobain, the FIBRAFLEX fibres are produced and commercialized by Saint-Gobain Seva since the beginning of the 90's.
FIBRAFLEX, used by major industrial contractors, is used both in products where quality is primary concern (containers for radioactive waste, repairing mortars) or directly on building site. Under certain circumstances, they can replace a wire mesh. |
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In 1 m³ of concrete, there
are 100,000 FIBRAFLEX
fibres !
1 fibre of 10 mg can lift off
a 10 kg weight. |
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Good metallurgical control is essential to produce FIBRAFLEX :
A specific molten alloy is placed in a crucible, the lower section of which is perforated and fitted with a capillary tube measuring just a few tenths of millimetres in diameter.
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Underneath the crucible, a water-cooled wheel with notches at regular intervals rotates at high speed. |
The alloy falls onto this wheel and undergoes hyperquenching. The jet of metal is cut in each notch to form the FIBRAFLEX fibres. It is this unique patented process which gives FIBRAFLEX its exceptional properties. |
Saint-Gobain Seva is the first manufacturer of amorphous metallic fibres on a world scale. |
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FIBRAFLEX is ISO 9001 certified. A range of quality controls is performed on every production. |
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Qualities & performances |
The technology of manufacturing brings very outstanding properties to FIBRAFLEX : |
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It is flexible what means it can be easily incorporated in concrete which can then be poured, pumped or sprayed without any problem, and be used in standard equipment without any risks of choking up or damage. |
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It is fine (approx. 20 µ thick, i.e. less than the diameter of a hair) what makes it more effective because the finer the fibre, the more dense and effective the reinforcement. They are up to 1.1 million fibres (5 mm fibres) per kilo. |
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When concrete reinforced with... |
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Fibraflex is X-rayed, the fibres are everywhere !
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Appearance after 24
hours in acid |
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It is strong : 1,400 MPa tensile strength ; combined with its fineness, it adheres to the cement matrix, does not slide and resists until rupture. This characteristic allows it to be very effective at limiting the appearance of microcracks. |
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It is corrosion-resistant, even in extreme circumstances (seawater, road grit, acids or alkalis...). This high resistance to corrosion is due to the hyperquenching together with the presence of chromium in the alloy. The fibre is non-oxidising “in its mass” and not just on the surface ; even after a number of years, no rust appears on the surface of the concrete. Besides FIBRAFLEX retains its mechanical properties. |
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It is not a hazardous product ; the only safety measure relates to the wearing of gloves (optional) to handle the fibres. It can be used in contact with water intented for human consumption (a positive advice was given by AFSSA —French Food Safety Agency—). |
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Fields of application |
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Dry-packed concrete or mortars for repair works
They can be poured or sprayed
(using dry or wet method). |
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Sealing mortars |
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These mortars are particularly used for municipal castings. |
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Prefabricated concrete components
For instance, SOGEFIBRE manufactures containers for radioactive waste with FIBRAFLEX. |
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Industrial floors
and among other things : screeds for underfloor heating. |
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There are 6 different sizes of FIBRAFLEX fibres : 30 x 1.6 mm - 20 x 1.6 mm - 20 x 1 mm - 15 x 1 mm - 10 x 1 mm - 5 x 1 mm. Some of them are recommended for the applications above mentioned but thanks to the range of sizes, all new applications can be implemented. |
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