What is concrete reinforced from glass fibers?
Glass fiber concrete (GFRC) is a portland cement containing up to 2% alkaline resistant fibers of resistant silica mixed. Glass fibers replace steel reinforcement with large savings. The use of special glass fibers resistant to alkalia is essential because concrete provides a highly alkaline environment that destroys conventional glass fibers. At the end of the sixties, a research facility for the UK buildings created a glass fiber resistant to alkalia. Since then, in Europe and Asia, it has been widely used from the glass fibers that are increasing in the United States, in the US largely used in the exterior panels in the US. Although usually only about 0.5 inches (1.25 cm), these panels provide all the strength needed to resist the elements. The most common surface is similar to stone.
decorative garden pieces and outer lining are easier to occupy with GFRC than conventional concrete. Is one of theItems such as sculptures, growers and fountains or corbels, dentals and railings. They can be occupied hollow, making it much lighter, making it easier to move and install. GFRC is often occupied to look like a natural stone. It can also be treated with additives to be resistant to water, or treated and made of boards using a spray technique that creates a high gloss, a water -efficient surface.
These properties have caused the glass fiber reinforced with concrete in Europe commonly used by the top top surface. Americans are beginning to consider these attractive and high quality shelves as an alternative to installing granite or quartz. Some designers also use GFRC for Firepkrajka surrounding, cloaks and fireplaces. Another interior uses from kitchen hoods to furniture.
The main disadvantage of glass fiber concrete is its costs. Compared to concrete, it is much more expensive to pound for a pound. The current view is that for applications below the thickness of about 2 inches (5 cm), GFRC is a choice. BudLive for heavy pouring is considered too expensive, those 4 inches (10 cm) or more strong.
Another disadvantage is that the concrete mixture has a high ratio of concrete to sand and low water ratio to cement. This makes the navigable product prone to drying too quickly. Traditionally, the GFRC panels were cured in the humidity of the controlled room for seven days. Recent innovation adds to the mixture of acrylic solids or acrylic emulsions that retain moisture and act as a healing agent, and can reduce the time of curing to half.