Polypropylene Fibre for Concrete and Mortar
Specs checked on
What it is
This polypropylene fibre for concrete is a monofilament microfibre: loose single strands of polypropylene (PP), each 12 mm long and 30 µm across, not strips split from a film (fibrillated fibre) and not a thick macro fibre. Kitovu’s order specification gives it one job, controlling plastic shrinkage cracks in concrete and mortar, at 0.9 kg per m³. In the photos it is white and chopped into short tufts; the second picture shows a sack printed “Engineering fibres” with Chinese words for mortar and concrete fibre.
At 30 µm, the strands are a tenth of the 0.3 mm line that Sika’s fibres page uses to separate micro from macro fibres (our calculation). Microfibres of this kind are not meant to carry structural loads; that is the work of macro and steel fibres or of bars, as the concrete fibre types and doses page sets out.
The dose sits close to what ACI describes. Its answer on fibres says synthetic fibres go in at about 0.1% of the concrete volume to reduce plastic shrinkage cracking. With 0.91 g/cm³, the density that the SikaFiber PPM-12 data sheet gives for a similar fibre, 0.9 kg per m³ works out at about 0.1% (our calculation: 0.9 ÷ 910). The maker, brand and bag size of the stock fibre are not in Kitovu’s file yet.
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Appearance | White chopped fibre in bundles |
| Purpose (print on sack in stock image) | ENGINEERING FIBRES; 砂浆 / 混凝土纤维 = mortar / concrete fibre |
| Polymer | Polypropylene (PP) |
| Fibre length | 12 mm |
| Fibre diameter | 30 µm |
| Fibre type | Monofilament microfibre (not fibrillated, not macro fibre) |
| Purpose | Plastic shrinkage crack control |
| Recommended dosage | 0.9 kg per m³ |
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Specs of similar products — not confirmed for this item
| Parameter | Similar products list |
|---|---|
| Density | Approx. 0.91 g/cm³ |
| Melting point | Approx. 160 °C |
| Specific tensile strength | Approx. 52 cN/tex |
| Mixing | Add the fibres with the dry aggregates; if added last, extend mixing (as a guide, 1 extra minute per 1 m³); do not add them directly into the mixing water |
| Uses | Ground-bearing slabs, screeds and overlays, renders and plasters, precast elements, sprayed applications |
| Effects | Reduces plastic and drying shrinkage cracking, plastic settlement and permeability; increases impact resistance |
| Limitation | Does not replace structural steel reinforcement |
| Shelf life / storage | 24 months, dry, +5 °C to +35 °C, in sealed packaging |
How it is used
At the specified 0.9 kg per m³, the amount of fibre follows from the volume of the pour (our calculations):
| Pour | Concrete or mortar | Fibre |
|---|---|---|
| Ground slab 5 × 4 m, 100 mm thick | 2 m³ | 1.8 kg |
| Floor screed 30 m², 50 mm thick | 1.5 m³ | 1.35 kg |
| Ground slab 10 × 10 m, 150 mm thick | 15 m³ | 13.5 kg |
For mixing, the SikaFiber PPM-12 data sheet is the closest guide, written for a similar fibre and not confirmed for this item. It puts the fibre in with the dry aggregates so that it spreads through the whole batch. Fibre added after everything else needs a longer mix, about one extra minute per m³, and fibre should never be tipped into the mixing water. ACI adds that fibres make fresh concrete less workable.
The fibre does not take the place of steel. Sika’s sheet rules out using its microfibre instead of structural reinforcement, so a slab still needs its bars, held at the right cover; the Plastic Rebar Chairs with Base (Rebar Spacers) are in stock for that.
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