Advancements in GFRC (Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete) Mix Designs

GFRC – Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete has become the technology of choice when it comes to unique and manufacture-able concrete designs. GFRC allows for stronger, faster curing and lighter weight concrete pieces. With many fabricators and contractors leaning towards those attributes, the difficulty comes in choosing a GFRC Mix Design. Although you can find a variety of GFRC formulas, it seems there are four factors that seem to stumble applicators with this technology.

First is the amount of companies you deal with for the raw materials to make up your GFRC mix Design. The second is the issue with temperature of shipping out some of the key components along with the temperature during the application process. The third obstacle is the inconsistency from batch to batch, this occurs due to the personal measurements of the multiple raw materials and the polymers and rosins for GFRC formulas that require a specific temperature to work correctly.  The last factor can be the startup cost. With so many raw materials needed from different companies it can be an expensive trial to see if you like that particular GFRC formula. Although these can be concerns, the results of GFRC have convinced applicators to deal with these situations, at least until now.

SureCrete Design unveiled at 4 different trade shows in 2010: such as World of Concrete, International Builder Show and The Decorative Concrete Show the first preblended GFRC Mix design. This new hybrid GFRC technology utilizes the latest in concrete technology. The Xtreme Series GFRC delivers over 10,000 PSI, a demold time of 6 hours and a non- temperature sensitive mix design!

The real question is how does it help provide solutions to GFRC applicators?

First off, it simplifies the process of the mix design. Xtreme GFRC is a 2 component system, comprised of a “face mix” and a fiber infused “backer mix”. Based on the current technology behind the Xtreme Series Product lineup, the Xtreme GFRC Face Mix provides a 50lb bag that has white cement, a fine sand and a specific blend of fibers that are not seen in the Face mix but adds to its strength and flexibility. You combine that with 1 gallon of modifier.

This unique design has NO polymers and NO acrylics providing a solution to  temperature  issues with GFRC. In addition, you have one company,  that supplies all of the components needed for GFRC, and it is preblended in a bag, simplifying your time and labor in your shop. It also takes your startup cost from an average of $500.00 to around $58.00.

The Xtreme Series GFRC system is a user friendly version of typical GFRC mix designs, most applications only require the use of a hopper gun and an air compressor however for larger commercial applications and higher fiber loading a commercial pump is applicable.

The Xtreme Series GFRC simplifies and speeds up the process of fabricating all concrete pieces whether it is a concrete countertop, fireplace, shower surrounds, wall panels or furniture. Allowing them to be made thinner and therefore lighter with less time required for mixing and measuring components as seen with other GFRC formulas.

Look for the next article when we will feature the versatility of SureCrete’s Xtreme Series Backer Mix and we look at some job profiles where this new GFRC technology has been used.

GFRC Technical Data Sheet – Click Here

GFRC Pre Cast Catalog - Click here