Fibres For The Construction Industry
We produce short cut polyester, polypropylene, and nylon construction fibres that are used in a wide range of construction industry applications. Our fibres and flocks are used in the manufacturing of concrete, insulation, and many more construction materials.
These construction fibres add structural integrity to composite materials, adding extra high performance properties to building materials. Fibres can minimise shrinkage on drying, improve the tensile strength, and enhance permeability.
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Please use the configurator below so we can recommend a product based on your requirements.
Concrete Fibres
Construction fibres are added to concrete mix to minimise shrinkage, reduce the risk of cracks, and improve green strength. Alongside their ability to reinforce concrete, fibres in concrete add permeability by producing tiny channels in the castable structure. Improvements in permeability aid drying and help to prevent explosive spalling.
We offer the following fibres and flocks for concrete construction:
100 – 500 microns
Natural ground olive stones are odourless organic materials ground to fine flours, granules and pits. These inexpensive natural materials are used to improve the thermal insulation of concrete, cement, and mortar. Olive stone can also be used to improve grip and anti-sag properties of concrete.
< 500 microns / 2.10 decitex
Nylon can be added to concrete to reduce its permeability to water and chemicals. This is because nylon is resistant to ground chemicals and water. It also holds concrete together should it crack or wear making it an ideal construction fibre.
3.30 decitex
Polyester construction fibre has excellent weather-proof and fire-retardant qualities, which improve the performance of concrete applications. They also assist in creating a smooth and level surface that water and dirt cannot penetrate. It is also very lightweight, meaning that polyester concrete can be used to create complex 3D shapes.
3.30 decitex
Polypropylene fibre (PP) is a thermoplastic polymer that is often used to improve the flexural strength of concrete. It is rugged and resistant to many chemical solvents, bases and acids making it an ideal reinforcement fibre for concrete.
Insulation Fibres
We offer a variety of precision or short cut construction fibres and flocks for use in the manufacture of insulation products. Nylon, polypropylene, and polyester can be used in the fabrication of plasterboard. Natural flocks such as wool and hemp are used for wall, loft, and underfloor insulation.
Insulation materials include:
1.70 decitex / 3.30 decitex
Precision cut polyester construction fibre is a very strong and stable man-made fibre that is used in many industries. It is warm and insulating, making it perfect for most insulation applications. Polyester is resistant to stretching and shrinking and very resistant to abrasion and acid degradation.
2.10 decitex
Nylon is widely used in industrial applications as it is insulating, strong, and very stable. It is great for insulation purposes as it is breathable but tightly woven.
3.30 decitex / 28.00 decitex
Viscose rayon is 100% biodegradable and so it is also widely used in environmentally friendly applications. It is a good eco-friendly alternative to other insulation fibres.
Adhesive Fibres
Adhesives are commonly used across a wide range of industries and applications. Fibres are added to adhesives to increase binding ability and distribute stress more efficiently across the join. They also have the added bonus of reducing cost and increasing design flexibility.
The following materials are available for adhesive applications:
< 100 microns
Polypropylene is a strong and flexible plastic that is used in many applications. Polypropylene glues and adhesives are used to adhere lots of different types of plastic, as they are incredibly versatile and durable.
< 100 microns / 100 – 500 microns
Much like polypropylene adhesive, polyethylene is used for the adhesion of other polyethylene plastics. Polyethylene has high impact strength, is resistant to chemicals, solvents, and impact. It also has good fatigue and wear resistance, zero water absorption, and is very flexible.
< 500 microns
Cotton is a strong and environmentally friendly material which can be added to adhesive formulations to increase flexibility, durability, and longevity.
1001 – 5000 microns
Resorcinol Formaldehyde Latex (RFL) coated polyester is coated with RFL to improve adhesive properties of polyester.
3.30 decitex
Polyester is resistant to stretching, shrinking, abrasion, and acid degradation, making it an excellent addition to adhesives.
3.30 decitex / 6.70 decitex
Acrylic fibres are strong and flexible, making them a good addition to adhesives, paints, and coatings. Short cut fibres are ideal for crack bridging and covering uneven surfaces.
3.30 decitex / 17.00 decitex
Modacrylic is strong, soft, resilient, flexible, and easily dispersed, making it a popular addition to adhesives. It has outstanding resistance to chemicals, solvents, and high temperature, as well as being hard to burn. For this reason, it is commonly used as an intumescent material in adhesives, resins, and paints.
Sealant Fibres
Short cut fibres, flocks, and powders are used as flexible reinforcement in many sealant formulations. They provide a durable bond for years whilst at the same time providing flexibility.
Sealing compounds containing short cut fibres provide a product that will withstand extremely high temperatures and levels of abrasion or corrosion. This makes them ideal for use in aggressive environments where major maintenance downtime is not immediately possible (e.g. chemical transfer pipework).
Fibres and powders are also used in the manufacture of tyre puncture sealants which provide a permanent repair for tyres.
The following materials are used in sealants:
< 500 microns / 500 – 1000 microns / 1001 – 5000 microns / > 5000 microns
Polyethylene flock is used in sealants due to its high impact strength and resistance to chemicals and solvents. It is also extremely flexible and absorbs zero water, making it a common choice for marine applications.
2.10 decitex
Nylon is often added to sealant mixtures as it is hard wearing and durable. Nylon is also resistant to sun damage, high temperatures, and abrasion as well as being easily dispersible.
3.30 decitex
Polypropylene is extremely tough, durable, and flexible, making it a good choice for sealant manufacture. It has the ability to flex with the finished product without letting in water, air, or other unwanted particles.
< 500 microns / 500 – 1000 microns / 1001 – 5000 microns / > 5000 microns
Aramid fibres are strong, heat resistant, and help to improve viscosity control for sealants. The material disperses well throughout liquids and settles in a random pattern, thickening or building viscosity. This is unaffected by processing or aging.
3.30 decitex / < 500 microns / 500 – 1000 microns / 1001 – 5000 microns
Acrylic sealant is often made from acrylic resins and is used for caulking, jointing, and filling cracks and gaps. It is commonly used in the construction industry, but can also be for commercial use.
Acrylic sealant protects surfaces from dust and insects and it stays flexible even after you paint it. When it is cured, it becomes like rubber in that it is very flexible and durable. This makes it popular for construction applications as building joints need to have the ability to move slightly. Also, acrylic can be easily painted over, making acrylic sealant ideal for interior and exterior decoration.
3.30 decitex / 17.00 decitex
Modacrylic is strong, soft, resilient, flexible, and easily dispersed, making it a popular addition to adhesives. It has outstanding resistance to chemicals, solvents, and high temperature, as well as being hard to burn. For this reason, it is commonly used as an intumescent material in adhesives, resins, and paints.
Resin Fibres
We produce a range of short cut fibres that can be used to improve the physical properties of the base resin.
When combined with fibres and flocks, resins gain higher tensile strength, toughness, and malleability. Fibres and resins can counteract the other’s weakness, producing a material far more useful than its individual components.
The following fibres and flocks can be added to reinforce resins:
< 100 microns
Polypropylene is a type of thermoplastic polymer resin that is lightweight and very flexible, making it less likely to shatter. Polypropylene also has the ability to take significant damage before breaking. Polypropylene is also easy to customize, since it has a high dye affinity. It also does not absorb water like other plastics.
100 – 500 microns
Olive stones are often used to add anti-slip properties to resins and other construction materials.
< 100 microns / 100 – 500 microns
Polyethylene resin is often used in the construction industry as a flexible yet durable material. It has mechanical, thermal, chemical, and electrical. It absorbs almost no water and burns slowly.