- GFRC materials have been widely used for many years and their properties and characteristics studied extensively. GFRC is a family of composite materials that combine the high compressive strength properties of cement mortars with significantly increased impact. flexural and tensile strengths imparted by the fibre reinforcement. GFRC products are safe, have good chemical resistance and will not rot or corrode.
- GFRC is a lightweight, durable material that can be casted into nearly unlimited shapes, colors and textures. It is rapidly gaining prominence in the construction industry worldwide for the economic, environmental, technological and aesthetic benefits it brings. Its low consumption of energy and natural raw materials makes it one of the most environmentally friendly choices available, and it can be tailored to meet a wide variety of specific performance, appearance, and cost parameters.
- GFRC is a composite material consisting of a mortar of hydraulic cement and fine aggregate reinforced with Cem-Fll alkali resistant glass fibres. The GFRC may contain additional filler materials, pozzolanic materials and admixtures. The fibre contents are typically 3% to 5% by weight depending on product application and production method employed. The properties of GFRC depend on a wide range of variables.
- These include method of manufacture. Mix formulation, fibre product type, length and orientation, admixtures used, etc. A GFRC material may therefore be tailored to meet the requirements of a specific application. The information given in this publication mainly refers to GFRC materials having an aggregate: cement ratio of up to 1:1. Incorporating Cem-Fll AR glass fibre and made by the spray and premix processes.
GFRC benefits include, but are not limited to:
- Lightweight Structure, Reduced Transport & Installation Costs.
- Excellent Edge and Corner Strength
- Improved Surface Details and Quality of Finish
- Easy to mould into complex shapes
- Maintenance Free
- Ideal for Restoration Works
- Environment friendly
- Weather Resistance
- Color Fastness
- Impact Resistance
- Adaptability to long spans and curvatures
- Potential translucence
- Long service life
- UV Resistant
GFRC is made of inorganic materials and will not burn, has negligible smoke emission and offers good fire resistance. In some circumstances GFRC is made containing polymer materials which may slightly affect some fire performance properties. GFRC is normally of relatively thin cross section, giving a low component weight which allows savings in handling, storage, transportation, and installation compared with traditional concrete products.
There are many reasons why are the world moving towards GRRC products, such as the ability to implement multi-curvature complex designs, Architectural products such as Decorative Screens, A.C. Covers, Cladding Panels, Column Capital, Bases, Domes, Castellations, Planters, Permanent Formwork and a wide range of custom-made applications.
There are two main methods of manufacturing GFRC,
- Spraying of fibre and slurry simultaneously onto a mold, by manual or mechanical means. Typical products made using the spray process include architectural cladding panels, channels, tanks, facade elements, ducting and permanent form work.
- Premixing the fibre and slurry and then processing the mixture by vibration casting, extrusion, injection molding, etc… to produce the product form. Typical products made using the premix process are sunscreens, planters, electrical transformer housings, slates and tiles, junction boxes and drainage components.