Top 5 Reasons You Should Opt for Microfiber Mesh in Your Next Concrete Project

Microfiber mesh (or fiber mesh) is a type of reinforcement, made of various 

fibrous materials, that is blended into the concrete mixture to control plastic shrinkage, provide impact protection, and fire anti-spalling benefits. 

Fiber mesh is often made with glass, natural, synthetic, or steel fibers. This type of reinforcement is a great, relatively cost effective, method of upgrading your concrete. However, microfibers should not be considered a structural reinforcement, and cannot be used to replace any structural steel elements.

If you’ve reading this article, then you’re probably wondering if this stuff lives up to all the hype. Luckily, we’ve worked up this handy-dandy little list of all the benefits of concrete fiber mesh …

1. Improved Tensile Strength

“Tensile Strength” is the ability of a material to resist breaking under tension, or when stretched tightly. Concrete is naturally strong under compression (squeezing, or putting under pressure) but weak under tension. Fiber mesh, which consists of fine synthetic or steel fibers uniformly distributed throughout the concrete, helps to improve its tensile strength. 

2. Homogeneity and Isotropy 

Homogeneity: the quality, or state, of being all the same or all of the same kind (often in reference to a finely blended mixture that cannot be undone without undergoing a significant process)

Isotropy: (of an object or substance) having a physical property which has the same value when measured in different directions.

By reinforcing concrete with fibers, the material becomes more homogeneous and isotropic, meaning its properties are more uniform in all directions. This uniform distribution of fibers ensures that the strength enhancements are not localized but extend throughout the entire concrete structure. 

3. Reduction in Shrinkage

The increased homogeneity of the concrete reduces natural segregation and settlement of ingredients, thereby reducing shrinkage cracking. Shrinkage cracks typically occur as a result of water-to-cement ratios in combination with environmental factors of the jobsite. Micro-fiber mesh tends to increase tensile strain capacity, and bridge micro-cracks to reduce propagation velocity within the first 3-10 hours of curing. When concrete starts to crack, the fibers hold it together, preventing the cracks from widening and propagating (or spreading) over time.

4. Limit Concrete Bleeding

Isotropy limits the rate and scope of the migration of water to the surface, a condition known as concrete bleeding.

5. Settlement & Impact Resistance 

Together, the homogeneity and isotropy gained from the added fibers act as an internal network of support, distributing the stress across a broader area of the concrete.

You might visualize this as the difference between using chalk to build a bridge, or freshly cut (green) branches. Under greater pressures, the chalk would likely crack, or even crumble. Meanwhile, the branches have a network of flexible fibers that would bend, rather than break, under greater pressures.

Fiber mesh also enhances the impact resistance of concrete, making it more durable against physical impacts and heavy loads. This property is particularly useful in industrial flooring, driveways, and other surfaces subjected to heavy use. Think of this as the difference between being hit directly with a baseball versus a soccer ball. Both would probably hurt, but the soccer ball has a broader area (among other things) that would be less likely to cause serious bruising or broken bones at normal speeds.

The practical effectiveness of fiber mesh reinforcement depends on the type of fibers used, their distribution, orientation, and concentration within the concrete mix. For best results, the fiber mesh must be well-integrated into the concrete, ensuring that fibers are evenly dispersed and aligned to resist potential stresses effectively.