Degussa Place Faith in Macro-Synthetic Fibre Technology
19 November 2004
19 November 2004
Degussa Admixtures is to withdraw from supply of steel fibres for the underground construction environment to focus on synthetic fibre technology.
Degussa Admixtures, Inc. has been involved with the supply of fibre reinforcement through a strategic alliance with S.I. Concrete Systems since 1998.
""This is a business decision driven by our confidence in the emerging macro-synthetic fibre technology for underground construction applications,"" explained Mike Rispin, Director, Canadian Division and Underground Construction for Degussa Admixtures.
Over the last decade, the industry has seen a proliferation of fibre-reinforced shotcrete in underground applications in North America. Emerging high performance macro-synthetic fibres, such as the recently introduced S.I. Concrete Systems' ENDURO fibre, provide superior toughness and ductility for ground support applications. Papers and discussions at the recent ""Second International Conference on Engineering Developments in Shotcrete"" detail this trend.
""We believe that high performance macro-synthetic fibres are the technology of choice for the future in underground construction applications, particularly in areas of higher deformation and where superior residual toughness is required,"" Mr. Rispin continued. ""We will be working with our customers in the underground industry to evaluate and implement conversion from steel fibres to macro-synthetic fibres in the interests of improved performance and economics."" SI Concrete Systems will continue to provide steel fibre solutions in other markets, such as for slabs, elevated decks and vertical walls.
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